The Challenge Factory discussion

Leo & Delitealex - The Mirror Empire

checking in

Checking in too

would you like to read a set amount each day, or should we both read our own pace and put our thoughts in spoilers?

A set amount would be easier for me. Which do you like?

Set amount is fine by me :) how much per day would you propose?

5 chapters

OK, here's what I think about the prologue + chapter 1-5:
Hurley really loses no time to get jnto the action, which I like. still, as not much is explained and the text is full of new words and concepts, it is hard to follow. I'm guessing a lot at the moment.
I like that the setting seems very strange and not all like other cookie cutter phantasy. I'm looking forward to finding out more about the world(s)

Have you read any of Hurleys other books?

not yet, but I heard that this is how she usually writes

I've read and thats how I would describe it too the new words and figuring out what things mean without explanations.

I'll have my thoughts up later today.

I'm enjoying the descriptions of the world it seems centered around nature. I'd like to learn more about their abilities and the role the temples play in the world. (view spoiler)[ I'm hoping Roh is Ok and wonder where that part of the story is headed are they the ones that poisoned the Kai(if she was poisoned) (hide spoiler)]

chapter 6-10
(view spoiler)[
The circumstances of Kirana's death are getting even more mysterious, Zezili is cool as hell and just as unlikeable and Lilia takes matters into her own hands. Very cool, I like how we find out more about different cultures in the world and about what is going on.
(hide spoiler)]

chapter 11-15
(view spoiler)[
Chapter 11
I don't like how condescending everyone is to Ahkio and how they are keeping him in the dark on purpose. I think he could do a much better job if people just told him what's going on.

Chapter 12
Kalinda is dead without us knowing much more. Why is everyone so secretive about everythjng? It seems unnecessary that she left Lilia in the dark.

Chapter 13
It was interesting to learn more about Dorinah society, but I pity Anavha. Maybe his gift will give him the future possibility of taking control of his life, but most likely it will make him a game piece like Lilia. The relationship between Anavha and Zezili is strange, but also kinda... cute?

Chapter 14
So they kill the dajians to use their blood to open gates to another world?

Chapter 15
I'm glad that Ahkio survived, but I'm a bit worried what Roh might become in the future.
(hide spoiler)]

6-10

(view spoiler)[Not liking Zezili so far she treats her husband so badly. Does dajian just mean slave or halfbreed do you think? I'm wondering about the mission Zezili has to do with the foreigners and who are they.

It was good to see more about the different cultures. I'm left with more questions about karinas death. I'm most interested in Lilia and whats happening with her. (hide spoiler)]

In my edition there is a glossary in the back which explains that "dajian" is the Dorinah word for Dhai who are living there as slaves. I suppose it is pejorative in a way, maybe like "nigger".

I didn't even check for a glossary. There is one in mine too :)

I only realized by accident ;)

11-15

(view spoiler)[So much senseless killing I'm still not understanding the reason.

Learned some of males role in Dorinah society. Anavha seems to be having a hard time and Zezili refuses to believe he has any powers unless she just doesn't want anyone else but her to use his powers.

Kailinda was bad ass until the Sanisi came through able to channel Oma.

These gates they open where are they connected to I'm wondering when they open it seems really dangerous.

Roh- He seems to have a taste for fighting and killing. (hide spoiler)]

16-20

(view spoiler)[I'm hoping Zezili is getting a picture of whats in store for her world and she helps put a stop to it. I forgot about her making mirrors I wonder if this will be important later.

I liked Gian and hope shes ok maybe we will see her again soon.

Definitely wasnt happy to see Lilia leave Gian. I don't think Lilias going to Dorinah is a good idea.

I'm starting to understand whats going on a little more so its like parallel universes and the Dhai in the other world are the conquerors but their land is dying so they want to take over the new world but must kill many to do so.

Nasaka is very secretive especially with Ahkio I'm wondering wait her goals are.

Ahkio doesn't seem to have the stomach for politics but hes rising to the occasion. When he drops off the Garika bodies I bet something bad is going to happen. (hide spoiler)]

What do you think of them eating their dead. It surprised me a little.
Do you think its religious or just them not wasting any food source?

I wasn't totally surprised because people referred to the Dhai as cannibals and maggots before. It seems they are vegetarians, but make an exception for their dead, so I suppose it's part of their burial rites?
My hopes are on Zezili to put a stop to things, but we will see.
I'm getting annoyed by Lilia at the moment, but it's also kind of refreshing to see someone who fits the messiah trope defy everyone who wants to tell her what her path is.
There is a lot going on with the theme of fate and deciding you're own path.
I really don't like Nasaka and the way she tries to control Ahkio by withholding crucial information. I really hope he will figure everything out and solve the Kirana mystery.

chapter 21-25
(view spoiler)[
Wow, Ahkio really showed them,I didn't think he had it in him!
Saiduan culture seems to be the only patriarchal society we met until now, and I think it's interesting how they are talking about pronouns in different cultures and personal space.
I wonder what Ora Dasai is up to, and if he kept it from Ahkio (because no one seems to tell Ahkio anything).
So this didn't work out well for Lilia :( Taigan really has no moral compass at all, but maybe it has to do with the fact he's bound to Maralah?
Zezili is moving to do something about the Tai Mora, yay :D interesting that she has such a bad relationship with her mother, if she hadn't claimed her, she would be the one slaughtered, not the other way round.
(hide spoiler)]

26-30
(view spoiler)[
Lilia is turning into a character I really dislike. How could she treat Gian's sacrifice like that and kill a child only to get her way?
What is Ora Dasai planning, I have no idea. But it seems like he is playing a dangerous game.
I think I ship Ghrasia and Ahkio :D
(hide spoiler)]

21-25

(view spoiler)[Ahkio didn't back down from the Garikas eventhough he was scared. I thought maybe there would be a physical fight especially when he exiled them.

Lilia really overestimated her worth to Taigan. I'm wondering why she's not able to use Oma power.

I wonder if Taigan is the only one that changes genders. I think its interesting also about the different genders and the fact that dhai ask each other for consent to touch another person.

It's good to see Zezili planning something to stop the invasion. Wow her and her mom killed her father shes so ashamed of having the blood of a slave. Always trying to prove herself above them.

The Dasai if definitely up to something I hope to whats going on with that soon (hide spoiler)]

31-35
(view spoiler)[
So Lilia actually found her mother through blind luck, and she is a horrible person... But Zezili and Isoail are going to save her from the camps to destroy the mirror, so yay? And Tagain is repenting? Does she actually like Lilia or does she want to rebel against Maralah?
I hope Anavha is going to be alright, he has so much bad luck.
Roh is finally finding out about the Tai Mora too and might be a step closer to being a Sanisi, so maybe his stay in Saiduan will work out well for him?
(hide spoiler)]

26-30

(view spoiler)[Still not liking Lilia she definitely is not worthy of Gians sacrifice. I was so happy that Gian was back.

Still didn't learn much about what Dasai is planning.

I'm liking Ghrasia I hope she has a big role to play in stopping the invasion.

Monsharra kept saying the invading Dhai wasn't her people I wonder what they have on her. It also seems like she was intimate with the other Zezili. (hide spoiler)]

31-35
(view spoiler)[Poor Anavha nothing but bad luck he can't seem to catch a break. I wonder what the Tordinians are gonna do to him.

Lilia can't seem to get anything right. I don't know whats going on with her. I hope she ends up worth all this turmoil.

Roh is starting to figure things out. And the sanisis like his ability to see through wards. (hide spoiler)]

36-40
(view spoiler)[
I'm glad we found out more about Ora Dasai's backstory and the dangerous game they're playing. Who might the sinajista be they are waiting for? Yisaoh maybe?
Oh god, chapter 37 was really disgusting and scary! Thankfully Ghrasia is the best and escaped <3
I didn't think Lilia had it in her to adapt so well in order to survive in the camps. Maybe the experience will change her for the better. But how did Gian get there, I thought she was dead?
(hide spoiler)]

41-45
(view spoiler)[
Nooooooooooo Ora Dasai! And all the others! What's going to happen to their super secret plan now?! I can't really blame Roh though, cause he was only following Ahkio's orders...
And to think that Maralah always planned for her brother to be Patron... I thought the whole time she was loyal to the former Patron (what a dick by the way, I'm glad he's dead)
I like Lilia more after chapter 43 and 44, maybe her experiences shaped her for the better?
My Ghrasia-Ahkio ship has sailed, I'm so happy <3
(hide spoiler)]

46-50
(view spoiler)[
I like the relationship which is developing between Roh and Luna, I think they are very cute together :) maybe they will fulfil their respective destinies together?
That was a close shave for Ahkio, he really kicked a hornets' nest here. I wonder how Ahkio's pacifism is going to work out for him in the end. He proved already that he can make hard choices, but I feel there are many sacrifices yet ahead of him. I think he is a really interesting character and I'm looking forward to see how he develops in the future books.
I'm asking myself what the different version of the Faith Ahya story is supposed to mean? Maybe that legends are a matter of your viewpoint and that you can't be sure of you're history?
Destroying the mirror was... surprisingly easy? kind of anticlimatic. It didn't feel like a real victory to me. And Lilia is very determined and clever, but she is also cruel if it helps her to achieve her goals. At the moment her goal is to save people, but that character trait might develop in a bad way in the future.
(hide spoiler)]

36-40
(view spoiler)[ was glad to read about Dasais history but I still don't know what he's up to besides covertly getting information.

Yes the parts with the assassin were gross so was he from the other world? I'm glad Ghrasia made it out alive I thought she was a goner poor Halimey :(

I'm hoping this gives Lilia the kick in the butt she needs to help stop the invasion. Wow how did Gian turn up? I was sure she was dead too. (hide spoiler)]

41-50
(view spoiler)[Wow so much death. Now Since Dasais dead is his plan over or is just his part done? I wonder what all this means for Taigan or does it change anything.

I'm liking Lilia more now and I hope this Gian isn't some kind of spy. I'm happy Lilia gets another chance to get things right.

Ahkio tries to keep to his pacifist sensibilities but I wonder if there will come a time when he realizes he will have to let them go? Especially after what happened in Raona.

The legend caught my attention too since both Ahkio and Lilia remarked on the diffferences. Maybe this is something important that will help them in the long run.

Breaking the mirror did seem way too easy maybe they have a plan B. (hide spoiler)]

51-epilogue

(view spoiler)[So the empress is from another parallel world. I wonder who these sisters are? What are the cats gonna do to Zezili?

Letting the daijan through the gates how is that gonna work out in the long run?

Still liking Lilia at at the end of this. Nasaka seams to be a traitor but I think she has more up her sleeve.

I want to find out what Ahkio learned from the soul of Oma
(hide spoiler)]
I might try to fit in book 2 next month if not then definitely Dec.

I don't know, Lilia is kind of cool because she doesn't let anyone stand in her way, but declaring herself Kai ist kind of too much, isn't it?
I really want to know what made Nasaka want to betray her people and work with the Tai Mora.
I'm overall really excited for the next book, but I'm on a book buying ban at the moment ^^

There was a sale a while back and I was able to get both books 1 and 2.

Yes I want to know how Nasaka found out tai mora existed.

Declaring herself Kai I guess was the only way she was gonna get the gates open since nothing else worked.

But she might get Ahkio in a world of trouble, because his hold on the seat is already very problematic and after her display many people might worship her like a Messiah. That's a lot of power, and I kind of doubt that she's mature enough to wield it responsibly.

True Ahkio has enough trouble keeping things together .

Lilia is definitely not mature enough yet I hope she continues with this growth and making better choices.