YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Arram. Varice. Ozorne. In the first book in the Numair Chronicles, three student mages are bound by fate . . . fated for trouble.

Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness–and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the “leftover prince” with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom’s future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.

Only chapter one and this book is more graphic then I would expect of YA novel. The part where the female gladiators (view spoiler)[intestines are in her hands reminds me a bit of the graphic violence in Game of Thrones. O.o (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ I really didn't need to know about his 'male organ'. TMI. (hide spoiler)] :(

Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[The first time you learn that Sarge from The Immortals Quartet is Musenda! I was surprised. I'd forgotten he was a slave! O.o (hide spoiler)]

Review:(view spoiler)[Sadly for me this book only got a 4 star. I had some difficulty with previous characters now being main characters. I'm hoping that goes away as I re-read this over and over! :)

I loved Arram. I had the least difficulty with him since he has his original name in the book.

Ozorne was the most difficult for me. But it also made me really think about how he was in Emperor Mage.

I was happy to see characters from other books appear although it did take me a while to figure out Musenda was Sarge from Wild Mage.

I really didn't like the slavery in the book. I'm really happy that will be mostly resolved later on.

It's interesting to see the Graveyard Hag's interest in Arram. I didn't think he would interest her.

I was also really happy that Preet was in the book. She was really cute and I love that she was magical!!! I hope she gets returned someday! (hide spoiler)]

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Reading from the 12th of July 2018

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Chapter 1-2:
(view spoiler)[Okay first of all, can I just say how bloody disconcerting it is to have Numair going by his ‘real’ name of Adam Draper? I realise this is based WAY before he took up the name of Numair but stillllll ;-;

I really love that he’s so precocious and loves learning so much but also probably shouldn’t be allowed to get bored because otherwise he may accidentally blow something up. He’s basically a child mad scientist ;D
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Ooh! Lindhall! I remember youuuuu
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Our baby Numair the prodigy is going to essentially become an apprentice 💕💕 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[I love that Numair/Arram was able to meet the gladiator and elephant that saved his life when he visited his first gladiator event as a kid c: He hasn’t met the lady that assisted yet though... hopefully she’s still alive?

I really hate all the slavery in this - especially as the last Tortall series I read was the one in which slavery was abolished! But unfortunately that was in a different nation to this one 😔 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[Well shit. Not only do we have the death of another of the heirs to the throne (I believe there’s just one ahead of Ozorne now?) but we also have the death of one of Arram’s teachers - Faziy! I really liked her too ;-;

I’m honestly surprised that it took so long for one of the (seemingly primary) characters though, now that I think about it. Tamora Pierce hasn’t really been shy about killing off characters in the past tbh - and I doubt this will be the last! All I really know is that certain characters will 100% survive because they’re in the (chronologically) later Tortall books! XD

I just wish I knew the motivation for killing Faziy... did she willingly (or unwillingly) assist in the murder of whatshisface the prince - the one that died only a little while ago? Did she know something she shouldn’t? Did she make powerful enemies? (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[And firstly... can I just say how damn RELIEVED I am that Musenda survived this? I thought for SURE that he was a goner purely because he’s a gladiator - especially after that thing with uhhh... Ozorne’s master and that other gladiator whose name began with a K... I didn’t like either and as a result I kinda don’t remember the names... oops? 8’D

I mean... there ARE two more books to the trilogy so Tamora Pierce may still kill him off but I bloody hope not because I love Musenda ._.

I’m pretty mad that they didn’t really make any progress on Faziy’s murder though. I suppose that when the last Tortall series you read is the Beka Cooper one where each main happening was concluded by the end, you kinda start to think its gonna stay that way, y’know? XD

I’m really intrigued to see where they go with Book 2 though, and whether Arram will still be at the university or if there will be a time jump to when he’s finished... I 100% believe that if/when he goes to Tortall in this that he will meet up with Musendas family 💕💕

Looking forward to book 2 😀 (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 5 (view spoiler)[ So far I love watching Numair learn magic. he's so precious and young. The stuff about "his member" is quite weird and idk how to feel about it. BUt when he got his first erection and thought he was dying, omfg I laughed SO HARD!

I think it's interesting that Ozorne has mood swings and takes magical medication for them hmmmm (hide spoiler)]

CH. 12 (view spoiler)[ I love Arram and Varice is super sweet, but has cutting comebacks when needed. I'm not sure how I feel about Ozorne tho since I know what he does in the future. I LOVE PREET- this bird is so fucking cute. I'm hoping we get to see some of Arram's destiny play out in this series like Enzi talked about. I love all of the masters except Chioke, I didn't like him at first, but idk what I think of him now. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 17 (view spoiler)[ Can't say I am surprised it was Faziy who died. There was something a little too good to be true about her job offer. I think Chiokoe has something to do with the death of Stiloit, if not the other heirs. I think he's trying to position himself and Ozorne so that he'll end up on the throne and Chioke will benefit for that. There's just something I don't like about him. Also how old is Arram now?? 13 ish? If he really was 10 when he started at the university. I'm not sure I like Tristan either. He's kind of a dick to Ozorne and Arram. Varice is still lovely though. I also absolutely love the magic lessons and the masters (Chioke excluded of course). I think Sebo is my favorite though. (hide spoiler)]