YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

After losing everything, all seventeen-year-old Thea wanted was to be a normal teenager. Instead, she was attacked by a mysterious creature she thought only existed in fairy tales. Now thrown into the unknown realm of Faey, Thea is forced to determine the difference between reality and fantasy, in a world ruled by a dark elite and a society wracked by intolerance and prejudice.
With the support of her new friends and a mysterious dark haired, blue-eyed guardian watching her every move, Thea will discover that when it comes to Faey, nothing is what it seems. Will her courage and desire to save this new world from darkness be enough? Or will Thea be the next victim to fall to the dark whispers of fate...

Please join Gillian an me in this buddy read!

Thanks for setting it up TJ i have put it in my diary :)

Excellent! I'm looking forward to reading Enlightenment with you, Gillian! Maybe I'll even move towards becoming "enlightened"...

Sign me up!

oh this looks good im in:)

Welcome, Jordan and Siobhan!

Having a bit of an early peak at this book i did not expect Thea to be (view spoiler)[ an elf lol I was thinking how on earth does Eli know what her injuries are and he has bandages on him just out of the blue. Not to ignore he managed to beat up 3 thugs he is just a school kid!!!! I'm guessing he is no ordinary schools kid ;) (hide spoiler)]

Hello everyone! I'm really excited about the buddy read for Enlightenment that's starting tomorrow. Thank you for saying you'll participate and I'm really interested to know what you think. Please ask any questions you may have.
Happy reading!
Liz x

Gillian wrote: "Having a bit of an early peak at this book i did not expect Thea to be [spoilers removed]"

:)

Chapter 1 (4%)

I like the story so far. I like that we are plunged into the mystery and have to figure out a way to swim to the surface…

(view spoiler)[
Tragic start. But the mood isn’t tragic, which imho is a good thing. I’ve been reading too many books lately in which the MC broods on an on for three quarters of the book. I’m thinking, get over it already, I want to know how the story moves on… (am I heartless? ;) ). But that’s not the case here. I can feel Thea’s pain, but I don’t feel dragged under by it.

I wonder if the man from Thea’s dream had something to do with her parents’ death.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (6%)
(view spoiler)[
I suspected when Eli’s mother told him to “stay safe” on the way to school that there was something they knew that Thea didn’t.

So Eli has some kind of paranormal powers. And so does Thea. Eli shoots tornados from his hands (cool power!) and Thea protects herself and Eli by covering them in light. Why couldn’t she protect her parents that way during the car crash? Maybe her power was still underdeveloped at the time?

(hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "Chapter 2 (6%)

I suspected when Eli’s mother told him to “stay safe” on the way to school that there was something they knew that Thea didn’t.

So Eli has some kind of paranormal powers. And so do..."
I wondered that myself as they were strong enough to save herself why couldn't she save her parents.

TJ wrote: "Chapter 1 (4%)

I like the story so far. I like that we are plunged into the mystery and have to figure out a way to swim to the surface…


Tragic start. But the mood isn’t tragic, which imho is a..."
I agree I'm tired of all the broody MC and the mushy immature romance so far this one has only touched on a crush and has not gone over the top with it so thats great :)

Gillian wrote: "I agree I'm tired of all the broody MC and the mushy immature romance so far this one has only touched on a crush and has not gone over the top with it so thats great :)
"

I know, right?! The broody MC has her/his charm... for about 2 seconds. Then it gets old. Especially if the tragedy has happened before the book starts and I can't really feel the loss because I wasn't yet involved in the story and I hadn't yet developed a vested interest in the MC's well-being...

Refreshingly, that is not the case here. The story moves on quite quickly -- and that's my kind of story.

...and yes, Eli is a looker, but he's what, like 100 years older than Thea... ;)

I have a non-spoiler related question. Do young people use the word “whilst”? It sounds so Elizabethan to me. I’ve read it a dozen times so far in this book and every time I read it, it throws me off a bit. I don’t know what country Thea is from – she was supposed to travel through India with her parents (so maybe she’s Indian?), but she lives in Montana – and I don’t think a teenager in Montana would use “whilst”… Her language sounds otherwise like an average American teenage dialect.

Okay, I did a bit of digging to answer my own question.

Whilst I don’t usually recommend using Wikipedia a point of reference, all the sources cited here are legit:

Whilst
In standard British English and Australian English, whilst, as a conjunction, is synonymous with although, whereas, but or while.

The usage of whilst is chiefly British. For example, the BBC World Service website "Learning English", in their "Ask about English" section, uses the word whilst when explaining the usage of "while and whereas".

In American English and Canadian English, whilst is considered to be pretentious or archaic.[6]

Some publications on both sides of the Atlantic disapprove of whilst in their style guides (along with "amidst" and "amongst"); for example:
• Times Online Style Guide: "while (not whilst)"[7]
• Guardian Style Guide: "while not whilst"[8]
• Hansard: the Canadian Parliament record: "while not whilst"[9]

The American Heritage Guide writes that, "while using whilst runs the risk of sounding pretentious, it can sometimes add a literary or ironically formal note to a piece of writing."[10]

Practical English Usage by Michael Swan (OUP), a reference book for intermediate and advanced learners of English, does not include whilst but has several sections covering the usage of while.

6. Strunk, W., and White, E.B. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. 2000. Allyn & Bacon, Boston. Pg. 63-64.
7. Kelly, Jeremy. "Online Style Guide W". The Times (London). Archived from the original on March 31, 2007.
8. "Guardian Style Guide". The Guardian (London). 2014-01-26.
9. Hansard Association of Canada Style Guide
10. Company, Houghton Mifflin (2005). The American Heritage guide to contemporary usage and style. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 503. ISBN 978-0-618-60499-9.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/While



I just found this definition from the Urban Dictionary:

whilst: Anachronistic form of "while", used to create an illusion of intelligence or literacy. More often than not makes the user sound like a pretentious ass.
I always listen to Mozart whilst studying.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define...

...just sayin'...

TJ wrote: "I have a non-spoiler related question. Do young people use the word “whilst”? It sounds so Elizabethan to me. I’ve read it a dozen times so far in this book and every time I read it, it throws me o..."

Haha, I love this! I just started reading and the word "whilst" was in the third sentence. I couldn't help but repeat the word in a fancy accent, lol!

Now I'm going to continue reading!

Kim wrote: "Haha, I love this! I just started reading and the word "whilst" was in the third sentence. I couldn't help but repeat the word in a fancy accent, lol!

Now I'm going to continue reading! "

lol! I did the same! Whilst I recognize that I am hardly an expert in the English language, I have read a lot of YA books...

Maybe it's quite normal in Great Britain. I feel quite like a "pretentious ass" now for bringing it up... Sorry, Liz (innocent smile).

btw, welcome on board, Kim!

Thank you!

Well, I'm done with CH. 1, and I wrote a few notes!

(view spoiler)[ • Lol, “whilst”…
• Idk how I feel about “side-on.” I get that it’s supposed to be like “head-on,” except on the side, but it just sounds weird to me.
• With the description of the accident, there were times where the speech switched between past and present tense… And I’m assuming it was supposed to be past.
• Whilst… again
• “I seemed to fit perfectly as her cocooned me…” I’m sensing a potential romance between main character and Eli… Wait. Have we gotten her name yet (I’m assuming it’s a she)? I didn’t read the summary so I’m going in this story blind…
• Platonic my butt. You just said you described him in a way that seemed like he is more than a friend… You are swimming in DENIAL, girl.
• Well, you could be stupidly afraid to ruin your friendship as well…
• Thea! Her name is Thea!
• It might’ve been better to describe that entire section in flashback form.
• “Warm and fuzzy”, huh? Yep, COMPLETELY platonic feelings.
• … I feel like that “personal guardian” thing is supposed to be a subtle/not-so-subtle hint. (hide spoiler)]

And sorry it took me such a long time to finish one chapter! My puppy wouldn't let me ignore her and kept wanting me to play with her, lol!

TJ wrote: "Kim wrote: "Haha, I love this! I just started reading and the word "whilst" was in the third sentence. I couldn't help but repeat the word in a fancy accent, lol!

Now I'm going to continue reading..."

Kim wrote: "TJ wrote: "I have a non-spoiler related question. Do young people use the word “whilst”? It sounds so Elizabethan to me. I’ve read it a dozen times so far in this book and every time I read it, it ..."

TJ wrote: "Kim wrote: "Haha, I love this! I just started reading and the word "whilst" was in the third sentence. I couldn't help but repeat the word in a fancy accent, lol!

Now I'm going to continue reading..."

TJ wrote: "Kim wrote: "Haha, I love this! I just started reading and the word "whilst" was in the third sentence. I couldn't help but repeat the word in a fancy accent, lol!

Now I'm going to continue reading..."

Ha ha! Yes very normal to use 'whilst' here in the UK! I'll go check its usage in book 2 lol whilst you continue to make make fun!
Did you see what I did there?! Am so funny ;)

Okay, I just finished ch. 3! And some huge things have been revealed!

(view spoiler)[
Ch. 2
• Now you’re crawling into his lap!?! Girl, this is NOT a normal friendship, you are basically in a girlfriend/boyfriend relationship in everything but name.
• “and be safe…” another subtle/not-so-subtle hint that something fishy is going on.
• Whilst!
• These chapters are really short…
Ch. 3
• Lol, I love Thea. She has a sprained wrist, gash on her head, and a broken rib, and she worries about the MOST important thing: Eli seeing her stomach and bra.
• “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, I haven’t so far.” Uh, dude, hate to burst your bubble, but she has a sprained wrist, gash on her head, and a broken rib. She got them all ON YOUR WATCH. Not to mention the wreck that she was in which would’ve led to her demise if it wasn’t for her powers. You have definitely let things happen to her. Don’t be a liar.
• Thea is a royal elf… I expected she was probably royalty, but I didn’t think she would be an elf… I haven’t read many books with elves in it… This should be interesting!
• Lol, did I mention how much I love Thea? “… but not believing a word of it.” It would be even better if she straight up told Eli something like, “you’re crazy.”
• I’m very curious as to how this Minen guy rated the elemental powers. Maybe based on the most dangerous? But you can squish a person with a boulder… That’s pretty dang dangerous and powerful… It would make a lot of sense if it was based on rarity. Like elves with the fire element are the least common, and elves with earth are the most common… But then the elves that control spirit would be the most “powerful”…
• “Whilst”
• Oh no… this guy is 114… Thea… you are too young for him! You are no longer allowed to have those “warm and fuzzy” feelings for him anymore! You’re only 17! Eli is a freaky old-man pervert!
• Whilst!!!
• Is this freaky old-man pervert REALLY flirting with Thea when she is trying to come to terms with all of this?!?! It is NOT the time for that! Bad dirty-minded old-man pervert!
• Whilst again!
• So… going back to the place where her real parents were KILLED is the safest place? Dang, then she’s in some deep shit, huh?
• Okay… If the portal is supposed to open tomorrow and Eli wasn’t really planning on telling Thea about her heritage… When were they going to tell her? When they walked up to the portal? Or when they were already in Aroben? That would’ve been a hell of a surprise for Thea. (hide spoiler)]

This is looking to be a good story. I'm done for right now, but I'll probably continue on later tonight!

TJ wrote: "Chapter 1 (4%)

I like the story so far. I like that we are plunged into the mystery and have to figure out a way to swim to the surface…


Tragic start. But the mood isn’t tragic, which imho is a..."

TJ, I don't think you're heartless! Unless I am too... because I've had much the same problem. :P

Just finished chapter 1: (view spoiler)[ So far Thea and Eli are reminding me a bit of Meghan Chase and her best friend (forgot his name) from The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.... I wonder if it's going to be that kind of set-up.

I feel like I read a lot of things with car crashes in them... that's not really a statement on anything, just a random bit from my reading life. (hide spoiler)]

Liz wrote: "Ha ha! Yes very normal to use 'whilst' here in the UK! I'll go check its usage in book 2 lol whilst you continue to make make fun!
Did you see what I did there?! Am so funny ;)."

You are too funny, Liz! I'm still not very far along (I actually have work to do. They actually pay me Euros to do stuff...), but if Thea grew up in Montana, which seems to be the case, she should not be using "whilst" in her vocabulary. Just sayin'

(Disclaimer: I also use some pretentious language in my novel, but my young people aren't growing up in modern-day Montana).

cup of tea and kindle and about to begin

CallMeSensei wrote: "Just finished chapter 1:"
(view spoiler)[
CallMeSensei wrote: "So far Thea and Eli are reminding me a bit of Meghan Chase and her best friend (forgot his name) from The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.... I wonder if it's going to be that kind of set-up.

I haven't read Iron King yet, Jordan. But I've read some books in the past year where the protagonist was crushing on her protector: Kris was crushing on her older, mega-hot protector Nathan in Ignited by Desni Dantone. I've also read books in which the protagonist wants to keep it platonic with her super-hot best friend and protector (who she grew up with) as Charlie does with Alex in Remember by Shannon Dermott. We'll just have to wait and see.

CallMeSensei wrote: "I feel like I read a lot of things with car crashes in them... that's not really a statement on anything, just a random bit from my reading life."

Yes, me too. But I suspect that this car crash was no accident.

(An aside: Harry Potter thought his parents died in a car crash too).

(A way aside: there are no car crashes in Great Expectations).

(hide spoiler)]

CallMeSensei wrote: "TJ wrote: "Chapter 1 (4%)"

(view spoiler)[
CallMeSensei wrote: "TJ wrote: "TJ, I don't think you're heartless! Unless I am too... because I've had much the same problem. :P"

Well, that's a relief! I was beginning to doubt my humanity... ;)
(hide spoiler)]

siobhan wrote: "cup of tea and kindle and about to begin"

Yay, Siobhan!
A glass of Chilean Cabernet Souvignon and my iphone and I'm about to start Chapter 3...

Kim wrote: "Thank you!

Well, I'm done with CH. 1, and I wrote a few notes!

...And sorry it took me such a long time to finish one chapter! My puppy wouldn't let me ignore her and kept wanting me to play with her, lol!"

Puppies take precedence, Kim!

Kim wrote: "Thank you!

Well, I'm done with CH. 1, and I wrote a few notes!"

(view spoiler)[
Kim wrote: "Platonic my butt. You just said you described him in a way that seemed like he is more than a friend… You are swimming in DENIAL, girl.

hahahahahahahahahaha! I am literally rolling on the floor laughing! Okay, I'm typing, but I'm rolling, laughing, and typing!

Kim wrote: "Well, you could be stupidly afraid to ruin your friendship as well…"

I actually was that stupid: with my best friend in high school and my best friend in college. I kept them both platonic, although there was clearly potential for more from both sides... all because I didn't want to ruin the friendship. So I agree with you -- she is definitely in denial, or she is purposely repressing her feelings (mind over emotions) -- which is how I was even into my first real relationship after college. I married the guy, but not for lack of trying to push him away in the beginning... :D
(hide spoiler)]

Welcome Kim and CallMeSensie so glad you both could join us. I have just had a good giggle reading all the comments.
TJ I would never have picked up that using whilst was not normal as I'm Australian. Wikipedia was pretty accurate ;)
Kim I must admit i did a double take when she crawled into his lap also.
CallMeSensei The Iron King was the book that came to mind for me also when i started reading this. I will say i loved that series :)

Kim wrote: "Okay, I just finished ch. 3! And some huge things have been revealed!"

You're darned tooten' some things have been revealed. Yowsy! (Now that's how they speak in Montana... just kiddin'... apologies to my Montana friends... ;) ).

(view spoiler)[

Kim wrote: "• Lol, I love Thea. She has a sprained wrist, gash on her head, and a broken rib, and she worries about the MOST important thing: Eli seeing her stomach and bra.

ha! And the first thing Thea asked/told Eli after getting attacked was about was the man from her dreams (thinking that he would think she was crazy) -- but she didn't ask: hey, what's with the tornadoes coming out of your hands, dude? And what about the fire that I produced? Nope. Didn't ask about that.

Kim wrote: "• Lol, did I mention how much I love Thea? “… but not believing a word of it.” It would be even better if she straight up told Eli something like, “you’re crazy.”

I liked it when she called him "a nutter"! lol!

Kim wrote: "• I’m very curious as to how this Minen guy rated the elemental powers. Maybe based on the most dangerous? But you can squish a person with a boulder… That’s pretty dang dangerous and powerful… It would make a lot of sense if it was based on rarity. Like elves with the fire element are the least common, and elves with earth are the most common… But then the elves that control spirit would be the most “powerful”…

oh, man, you've got me rolling on the floor laughing yet again, Kim! This is deep thinking you're doing here. I think they probably played rock/paper/scissors for the most powerful and paper covers rock, so...

Kim wrote: "• “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, I haven’t so far.” Uh, dude, hate to burst your bubble, but she has a sprained wrist, gash on her head, and a broken rib. She got them all ON YOUR WATCH. Not to mention the wreck that she was in which would’ve led to her demise if it wasn’t for her powers. You have definitely let things happen to her. Don’t be a liar.

Harsh! ;) The kid is a wannabe hero, and he's only 17... no, wait a minute...

Kim wrote: "Oh no… this guy is 114… Thea… you are too young for him! You are no longer allowed to have those “warm and fuzzy” feelings for him anymore! You’re only 17! Eli is a freaky old-man pervert!

• Is this freaky old-man pervert REALLY flirting with Thea when she is trying to come to terms with all of this?!?! It is NOT the time for that! Bad dirty-minded old-man pervert!."

Ya, but... ya, but... ya, but... they live like 1000 years...
I tried to do the math, but it's almost 2am here, and that glass of cabernet sauvignon did not help my algebra skills... I'll get on that first thing tomorrow...

(hide spoiler)]

Gillian wrote: "TJ I would never have picked up that using whilst was not normal as I'm Australian. Wikipedia was pretty accurate ;)"

See, that's why we needed people from at least 3 continents for this buddy read! I've learned something already...

TJ wrote: "Kim wrote: "Okay, I just finished ch. 3! And some huge things have been revealed!"

You're darned tooten' some things have been revealed. Yowsy! (Now that's how they speak in Montana... just kiddin..."
You 2 are cracking me up this is such a good buddy group Liz you have us all invested in your book i plan on spending my afternoon off reading some more/the rest of the book.

Lol, I'm glad everybody is enjoying our commentary... I just finished Ch. 7 and am now going to eat a midnight snack and go to bed (as it is 12:30 here in Louisiana).

(view spoiler)[Ch. 4
• Dang, so the portal was “not far,” but it takes ALL NIGHT to get there?!?!
• And this leads me to my last question, if Eli wasn’t planning on telling her about her heritage and they had to get to the portal that was a whole night’s walk away, what was he going to do? “Oh, hey, Thea? Yeah, I know the last day of school just ended and all, but let’s go on a hike! Through these thick and desolate woods! Oh, and this hike might take a while, but don’t worry! Because we obviously don’t need to eat or drink or anything!”
• And that reminds me, have they eaten or drank anything since they left in the morning for school? Plus, I’m sure Thea needs some more nutrition and hydration, what with her injuries and all…? No wonder she’s grumbling and groaning, she’s probably about to drop from dehydration!!!
• Two suns? I don’t think two suns would change the climate to make the temperature only a couple of degrees warmer, but okay.
• And what happened to Eli’s “parents”? Are they going to stay there (in the human world) as bait or something?
• “As we set off on a steady pace…” Seriously, are we expected to just be okay with how many meals they have skipped over? I would have keeled over and died by now! (I am nothing without a lot of meals and snacks)
• “now the even bigger problem I faced was whether the feelings I was picking up from him meant he wanted to be with me for me, or because he felt I needed protecting out of some sense of duty” Why should this even matter to Thea? I thought her feelings were “purely platonic” and she only wanted to be friends?
• Isaac…. EH-OH, WE’VE GOT OURSELVES A LOVE TRIANGLE!!!! Who will Thea choose?!?!?! The sweet bestfriend who she has known for years, but has also lied to her for all of her life? Or Isaac, the tall, dark, and mysterious guy who she just met and will undeniably protect her and make her all hot and bothered while doing it?
• Now that I’ve read a little more on Thea’s reaction to Isaac, there is a clear lean towards Isaac cause of their “connection.” I’m really hoping that if it is Isaac, he’s a little closer to Thea’s age. Maybe around 50 or so? Please?
Ch. 5
• Isaac’s head thill? This isn’t looking good. He might actually be older than Eli! Or, maybe he’s one of those child prodigies?!?!
• Ack! No! 156?!?! God, dang it! You were my hope, Isaac! Oh, well, I’m going to be a hardcore Eli-Thea shipper now. Just cause he’s less of an old-man pervert.
Ch. 6
• “… I took a bath, grateful they also used this as a method to clean themselves, like in the human world.” Lol, I wonder what weird ways she was thinking about how they clean themselves. Maybe everybody cleans themselves out in the open in Lake Fallowen? Or perhaps they all just lick themselves to stay clean?
• “It was only twenty-four hours since the attack.” It’s also been 24 hours since you last ate… How are you not dying?!? Or do the flowers and air give Thea nutrition as well as awesome healing abilities?
• Oh! Breakfast! FINALLY!
• And she’s finally admitted to her lack of eating… Good, lol. Honestly, I really don’t know why I focused on the food thing… but it’s probably because I’m kind of hungry right now…
• Isaac is SO jealous of Eli and Thea’s relationship! But of course he should be, I mean, Isaac is a stick in the mud who barely shows his emotions. Thea needs a man who’s not afraid to show how much he loves her! (also, his age is a lot closer so they will be able to connect more)
• Wait… This chick must have had only like 10 minutes to eat… And she only munched on an apple! (Okay, this is the last comment about Thea’s apparent anorexia)
• Weren’t they supposed to talk to Thea before the meeting about strategy and stuff? Is she just going into this council meeting blind?
• And here is the ultimatum: reach enlightenment in 4 months (when most reach that in years) or you will never be Queen. Poor Thea. To be thrown into all of this has really got to suck. Especially with Isaac being all like “It’s impossible, You’ll never be able to do it!” What an old, emotionless, pervert-man.
• Just a hint to the author: I don’t think people in Montana say “have a go at me” But more like: “You have no right to yell at me!” or “You have no right to attack me!” Something like that.
Ch. 7
• Ok. Eli is air and Thea is fire. And air feeds fire and helps it grow stronger and brighter. So it’s obvious that Eli and Thea are MEANT to be together.
• Ugh, and of course old-man-Isaac comes in to ruin everything
• NO!!! You can’t only love Eli “as a brother”!!! What a cop-out! But he knows you so well! He’s so sweet and comforting! He’s closer to your age! (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for my enormous amount of notes and how much they were rambling, I get kind of weird when it's late at night.

I too am loving all the comments. Kim - I wonder if you were just hungry hence you're comments about Thea and her lack of food - with everything she has been through, food wouldn't have been at the top of her agenda! More the life changing news, gorgeous elves etc ;) Hopefully the midnight snack has helped!
And I promise Eli and Isaac aren't old-men/perverts! For them, having a life expectancy of around 1000 years, means it isn't weird at all for them to go out with someone a hundred years or so younger.
Gillian - I'm glad you didn't think the use of whilst was unusual but I can so see what the others mean now.
Happy reading everyone!

I got started last night but didn't get far but I'll be picking it up tonight and knocking out a chunk of it

Liz wrote: "I too am loving all the comments. Kim - I wonder if you were just hungry hence you're comments about Thea and her lack of food - with everything she has been through, food wouldn't have been at the..."

I guess I'm just too addicted to food, then, lol. I wouldn't let some pretty faces block me from my one true love! Even if they had pointy ears and super powers!

And I suppose I will stop harping about the age... But just know in my mind they are still creepy old man perverts. :P

I'll continue reading later on, I'm at my little brother's baseball tournament and they have no wifi here, lol.

im going to be finished tonight its so good

Kim wrote: "Lol, I'm glad everybody is enjoying our commentary... I just finished Ch. 7 and am now going to eat a midnight snack and go to bed (as it is 12:30 here in Louisi

Kim i agree with everything

okay time to make some points before i continue reading,
(view spoiler)[ am i the only one who wants a whole book on the elf war?
Thea is a awesome character
I think im in love with Eli lol
I am loving all the history and world building we are getting :) (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan, you even agreed with my food rants, lol?
Anyway, I just finished Ch. 9:

(view spoiler)[Ch. 8
• Let me just mention how DUMB Thea is right now with this party business… You have an almost impossible challenge to reach enlightenment in four months and you want to go to a party…? And better yet you wanna do it without ANY protection?!?! I know Thea knows that certain people want to kill her and such, so why would she think that’s even a good idea?
• “The only solution I could think of was to say nothing at all and just sneak out and go.” Wait – I’ve got an idea: DON’T GO! I know, I know, it’s a very obvious choice. So obvious that most wouldn’t think of it automatically, but it’s there. And it definitely should’ve been thought of in the days you had prior to the party. My opinion of Thea is dropping by the second.
• And two of her GUARDS say that this was ok?!?! I’m calling bullshit. They should’ve at least offered to go with her or something!!!
• You know, normally, it’s physically impossible to feel yourself “getting fitter” in a matter of days (I’m guessing it’s been like three or four). But with this world that could very well be. Because since the very surroundings help heal Thea’s injuries, it could also be argued they heal her muscles as well. That quick healing would not only help her avoid sore muscles, but help her muscles tone up at a quicker pace. I believe. I’m kind of spit balling here ;D.
• Well, never mind, then. Apparently this place is very selective and will heal sprained wrists and broken ribs, but not sore muscles… Dang, I thought I was onto something there.
• And now Isaac broke her leg. Stupid old man- oh, oops, hehe, I’m supposed to drop that! Stupid meanie jerk. ;)
• Oh, he dislocated her patella… but still, he’s nothing but a big jerk
• Wait… Did I read that right? ALL of the healers manipulate spirit? They must have a dangerous shortage on healers, then. Aren’t spirit elves really rare?
• Eli is such an amazing guy. And Isaac is such a knee-dislocating jerk.
Ch. 9
• Yeah, the title of this chapter (A lesson in drinking too much) already tells me I’m going to get really annoyed with Thea this chapter.
• Ugh… okay. I just remembered that Thea is 17 years old. It makes sense that she would be making dumb mistakes like this… (Even though I’m not that much older than her…)
• “What’s not to like?” Hmm… I got a few: He never smiles at you. He’s always putting you down. He DISLOCATED YOUR KNEE and then YELLED AT YOU FOR IT… I can keep going! I mean, hell, you JUST said that he’s been “completely unbearable” ever since you met him!
• Okay, I’m thinking for a ship name for Eli and Thea… Thi? Elea? Hmm… ELEA FOR THE WIN!
• Dang, Inwen, way to not help Thea and turn the whole convo towards you! Friendship goals, lol.
• Oh! Callon’s going to be getting some backstory! Maybe he’s not riding the “I want to kill Thea” train after all?
• Lol, of course Thea got hurt and then caught. What did she expect was going to happen when she sneaks out? She’ll have a safe, fun night where no drama would occur? She seems to be a little smarter than that.
• This little speech of Isaac’s is the first time that I’ve really liked him. YOU TELL HER ISAAC (let it be known that I still do not agree with a relationship between them, though, as I have come to believe that Isaac will make a good father figure to Thea) (He’s too old to be an older brother…) (Or maybe just an older, grumpy protective uncle?) (hide spoiler)]

im done and i couldnt put it down omg. when is book two out please tell me its soon. also i kinda want food now lol

Sorry, Everyone! We took a road trip across southern Germany today -- so I got absolutely no reading done... I'll try to remedy that now, but it's after midnight... And I had waaaaay to much to eat today to read your food rants, Kim. Tomorrow on an empty stomach...

Glad you loved it, Siobhan!

TJ wrote: "Sorry, Everyone! We took a road trip across southern Germany today -- so I got absolutely no reading done... I'll try to remedy that now, but it's after midnight... And I had waaaaay to much to eat..."

and you didnt invite us all on a road trip??? :)

Siobhan, you are making me really excited to continue reading this! I hope I'll enjoy the book as much as you did. Right now it's about a four star for me, lol. And TJ, I'm really hurt, I wanted to go on a road trip too!! ;D

I'll continue reading in perhaps an hour or so!

Chapter 14 i'm a little confused as to why (view spoiler)[ they keep referring to an attempted kidnaping. Thea was stabbed i don't see how it can be kidnapping when it was attempted murder at no point did anyone attempt to grab her and take her away (hide spoiler)] pity the story had to go down the mushy path i don't mind romance but hate all this mushy stuff :(

Okay, I'm back in the game! Sort of... well, I'm not road-tripping anymore, but I do have to work today... I got a few chapters read last night, though. Not as many as I had hoped because I binge-watched a couple episodes of my favorite TV series (Arrow) first -- i just have to do that some times... ;)

But I have to say Enlightenment is really getting exciting! And I don't mind "whilst" so much anymore -- probably because it fits better in Faery... (I have a question about the introduction of the name "Faery," but I'll ask it in a spoiler).

siobhan wrote: "and you didnt invite us all on a road trip??? :)"

Kim wrote: "And TJ, I'm really hurt, I wanted to go on a road trip too!! ;D"

Hey! My book buddies are always welcome! Consider this a standing invitation: if you ever make it to Bavaria (Fränkische Schweiz to be exact), come visit! It is a very beautiful area here -- not just for reading, but also hiking, mountain biking, kayaking...

Gillian wrote: You 2 are cracking me up this is such a good buddy group Liz you have us all invested in your book i plan on spending my afternoon off reading some more/the rest of the book. "

lol! This is a good group, Gillian! This is a fun way to read a book!

Liz, Gilian's right -- such a good discussion is a good sign. I've participated in buddy reads in which the conversation goes like this: "I just can't get into this." "Me neither, looks like a dnf for me this time..." That's definitely not the case here! :D