The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Section 1

Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Prologue, Chapters 1-5.

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling things for your good read friends.

Please do not discuss events from later sections. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine.

I just started today, and it took me a bit to get my bearing back, but she seemed to do a good job of recapping without dragging it out I think.

I only got 90 minutes in today and that's good enough for 10%. I big difference from A Memory of Light where 1 chapter (albeit the longest in the series) was 9 hours by itself, and the book was like 42 total.

I wonder if this series can/will have any semblance of a happy ending. I'm not sure what I'm hoping for. I guess a reunion/reconciliation between Essun and her daughter and maybe a return of the moon? Maybe that's too much to ask for.

I don't see any path to a happy ending, but I'm still hoping.

I agree about the recap being pretty smooth. I HATE seeing Essun being turned to stone because that was freaky with Alabaster last book.

I really like the reader for this series.

Its a little frustrating that, as of chapter 5, Essun isn't headed towards her daughter but I understand that, for her survival, staying with the group is the much better idea.

I'm sure the 'Syl Anagist' chapters will make sense by the end of the book. They certainly don't right now.

I am not sure I expect a happy ending, but with the tone I am thinking it will be a bittersweet ending.

The Sly Anagist chapters seem to be Hoa telling about his story. Right? The 1st person pov makes me think it has to be him even though his name is Houwha in these sections.

I am curious to see how everything comes together.

I think you are right and it is Hoa. I didn't expect that (as far as hearing his story) but it definitely adds even more depth to the world building.

Geoff wrote: "Its a little frustrating that, as of chapter 5, Essun isn't headed towards her daughter but I understand that, for her survival, staying with the group is the much better idea.."

And she's a lot more vulnerable in this one than in previous books now that she can't use orogeny without hastening her transformation.

Yeah, I've been taking those Sly Anagist as HOA's backstory. Was it established in the last book that he was the "narrator" telling Essun and Nassun's story to Essun for some reason?

Yes. There's even a strong hint as to why at the end of book two.

Yeah, that sounds vaguely familiar. Thanks Lindsay.