Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence.



Synopsis
In Mystic Class Nona Grey begins to learn the secrets of the universe. But so often even the deepest truths just make our choices harder. Before she leaves the Convent of Sweet Mercy Nona must choose her path and take the red of a Martial Sister, the grey of a Sister of Discretion, the blue of a Mystic Sister or the simple black of a Bride of the Ancestor and a life of prayer and service.

All that stands between her and these choices are the pride of a thwarted assassin, the ambition of a would-be empress wielding the Inquisition like a blade, and the vengeance of the empire’s richest lord.

As the world narrows around her, and her enemies attack her through the system she has sworn to, Nona must find her own path despite the competing pull of friendship, revenge, ambition, and loyalty.

And in all this only one thing is certain.
.
There will be blood.

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Initial plan: to start reading 1 July, after the BOM of Red Sister is finished

Sounds good to me Cat. I got an ARC of this from NetGalley having not actually read Red Sister so now I need to read both.

You will be very welcome! I hope you both enjoy Red Sister! It took me a bit of time to settle into it, but I loved Nona & the story

Oh Cool. I think I'll join in after Red Sister

Finished Red Sister and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to picking this up now. Are we still on for a 1st July start?

I am all in for this!

Can I jump in on this pretty please? Finished Red Sister for the BOM and am desperate to see how things pan out.

I'm hoping to join this too :)

Yay! Joing from Team Tonks!

Just finished Red Sister for BOM and would love to join this!

Page 36 Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ And, I already hate new people. This Joeli thing is going to be a problem, and so will Sister Rail, I mean, even Abbess Glass doesn't like her! I'm worried, but also curious about the cave hunting they are doing. (hide spoiler)]

I was finishing up another book yesterday so just started this morning.

I am so happy the author did a here's what happened in the previous book section. I didn't think I would need it given I just finished Red Sister but I did find it helped clarify things a lot, particularly around the world. I do still kind of want a map though.

Alison wrote: "I was finishing up another book yesterday so just started this morning.

I am so happy the author did a here's what happened in the previous book section. I didn't think I would need it given I jus..."

Yes, I found those little snippets to be really helpful!

Page 102 Finished Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[ I am loving this one, it seems to be moving along at a better pace. I really liked chapter 6 or 7, about the path and thread-work, I found that pretty interesting. We are getting to see more of the sisters too, like Wheel and through Abbess Glass's eyes which I found really interesting. I'm really concerned about Sherzal at this point and her trying to get Zole back. Who knew I would end up liking Zole, but I do. Also, the thing with the caves, I'm hoping at least Ara comes around on it. (hide spoiler)]

Alison wrote: "I was finishing up another book yesterday so just started this morning.

I am so happy the author did a here's what happened in the previous book section. I didn't think I would need it given I jus..."

Yes I thought this was very clever. When he was like 'this is to avoid my characters having awkward dialogue to explain the past'. So honest :P

Elize wrote: "Alison wrote: "I was finishing up another book yesterday so just started this morning.

I am so happy the author did a here's what happened in the previous book section. I didn't think I would need..."

It's definitely a lot better than the info dumping a lot of authors do within the story. I'm kind of surprised you don't get a section like this in more books.

Is anyone else finding this story easier to get into than Red Sister? I have to admit I struggled a bit with Red Sister at the start, too much jumping around in time, not sure what was actually true, too many characters but while I'm still getting confused over characters names (particularly the sisters/Mistresses) I've found I'm already more into the story.

I'm up to around the end of chapter five now. Not sure how I feel about the prologue/flash forward at the start (and I'm assuming at the beginning of each part). I love how it's continuing the story from the first book as I want to know what happens but given it's set so many years in the future it is a bit spoilery (it's probably safe to assume that if someone's in the flash forward they're not going to die in the present).

Couple of other things I'm wondering about so far,

Sister Kettle (view spoiler)[what did it mean when Apple pushed her into darkness? Has it changed her in some way? Given her extra powers? (hide spoiler)]

Nona's(view spoiler)[ shadow, where the heck is it and what's it doing? Is it going to come back at some point? Also, Keot, is it wrong that I kind of like him? It sounds from the flash forwards that Nona has been chucked out of the convent, do you think having a demon inside was the reason and is she stuck with him for the rest of her life? (hide spoiler)]

Abbess Glass (view spoiler)[ and yet another trial, there seems to be more maneuvering going on. There was a lot about it being another game but only she knows it's started. Any idea what they're playing for? Is it just Zole? (hide spoiler)]

Alison wrote: "I was finishing up another book yesterday so just started this morning.

I am so happy the author did a here's what happened in the previous book section. I didn't think I would need it given I jus..."

I just started at the "chapter" The Story So Far and it was very helpful. I missed a few things and this helped me to understand a lot. And I wholeheartedly agree about the map. Would help to visualize places and the world.

Alison wrote: "Elize wrote: "Alison wrote: "I was finishing up another book yesterday so just started this morning.

I am so happy the author did a here's what happened in the previous book section. I didn't thin..."

Yes, this one is easier, but I struggle with a lot of the first books of a series, they have to go through so much to build the world and characters, I am loving this!

page 157
Chapter 16 was my favorite! LOVING this!!

(view spoiler)[ I hope Joeli gets what's coming to her. I do like this little demon that Nona has acquired, but I'm also a little concerned. She has actually done pretty well keeping her cool overall, because his every thought is blood and killing, but I am worried about what will happen when her control slips. I found the whole thing with the caves so fascinating! It wasn't what they really thought at all--cells! I never imagined, it will be really interesting to see what we find out about that. Also, Glass has referenced a few times that she has set some things in motion and I don't have the foresight or understanding to really see what she is doing, so that, too, will be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Teri wrote: "Page 102 Finished Chapter 10

[spoilers removed]"

I seem to be flying through this so much faster too and yep I'm loving it.

(view spoiler)[Zole is really growing on me too but I'm probably most impressed with Darla, I love the relationship between Darla and Nona. I am a little disappointed in Ara this time around though. It's maybe just that they're in different classes but there isn't really the same closeness.

I was also fascinated by the thread work section. Hessa was so good at it it seemed as if she could almost do anything. I am wondering if some of those rules around not touching the same thread more than once and how all threads are connected are going to be important later on. Also slightly scared of the "spider" lurking in the web of threads. (hide spoiler)]

Alison wrote: "Teri wrote: "Page 102 Finished Chapter 10

[spoilers removed]"

I seem to be flying through this so much faster too and yep I'm loving it.

Zole is really growing on me too but I'm probably most im..."

Yes! (view spoiler)[ the idea that pulling on these threads is going to come back and bite her is worrisome. Darla and her have gotten to a good place, Zole probably is the most surprising and she continues to surprise. I'm wondering if Sherzal is going to succeed in getting her somehow (hide spoiler)]

page 192 (view spoiler)[ I hope Joeli dies and its painful and it drags on and on. Not very mature of me, but that's how I'm feeling. She baited Nona this whole time with that bs about not seeing where Hessa died, she wanted her down there so she could get her banished. I am so pissed. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in too! Started reading when TT started but put on hold for the buddy read. Might have to go back to the beginning, it's been a while!

Teri wrote: "Page 36 Chapter 5
[spoilers removed]"

I feel exactly the same!

(view spoiler)[This Joeli chick is a mean girl. I guess we need a new person to hate on since Clera isn't a MC thus far.

I love Glass! She is a master strategist and plays the game well. Knowing that one move can change everything. (hide spoiler)]

Alison wrote: "I'm up to around the end of chapter five now. Not sure how I feel about the prologue/flash forward at the start (and I'm assuming at the beginning of each part). I love how it's continuing the stor..."

Oh my gosh. Yes to all these questions!

(view spoiler)[The shadow business I did not pick up on in book 1. At first I thought Keot was the shadow inside of her but then she explained. And I think he will be apart of her forever. I think the only way he is released is if she dies and he needs a new host body. I like his snark.

As for Kettle being pushed into darkness, it must have an affect on her. I interpreted it to be like pushing her to the brink of death and yanking her back. That brink allowed Apple to pull the knife out. But Kettle was hesitant to do this because of the side effects. But love, and Apple's plea, changed her mind.

Talking about Apple and Kettle, makes me think of Nona and Ara. I think Nona has a thing for Ara.

And Glass. Such a genius. I love this quote from her: "People were a magic and a mystery, no matter whether they were low-born or high, no matter whether it was soil or spells they turned their hands to, whether they were geniuses or fools." Absolute truth. And because of her perspective on people I think it makes her one scary, intelligent person.

Zole I think is a pawn and a decoy. She's helping to fuel this fake prophecy and it means Sherzal can get into this closed off places. Perhaps to steal the other shiphearts. (hide spoiler)]

Page 207
I am so anxious now. I need to take a break for a bit.

Teri wrote: "page 157
Chapter 16 was my favorite! LOVING this!!

[spoilers removed]"

Just finished chapter 16 and it really was brilliant. I love how creative Nona is and how determined and willing to take risks she can be. (view spoiler)[I do wonder though whether the Abbess is right and she needs to fail at something. She is so determined to succeed and win at everything at any cost that she can't really cope when it doesn't go her way. She says she failed at saving Hessa but I think her inability to cope with this failure and resulting determination to defeat Yisht (and therefore win) is leading her into a trap. Joelie seems to be constantly pushing her in that direction which does not bode well.

I have to admit I do love Keot, I just find it really funny how he wants to kill everyone (not sure what that says about me). I'm putting money on him getting control at some point. He seems a bit of a joke at the moment but I think something bad's going to happen (hide spoiler)]

Completely unrelated but in terms of the flash forwards (view spoiler)[ what do you think it means that Zole doesn't seem to be in any of them so far? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I love Keot too. I think Nona has failed, but its more internal things, she is looking outward, these trials, and all, but if she had some control she wouldn't have gotten banished. She is easily lead by her anger. I think Keot is going to have his day at some point, too.

As far as Zole goes, I don't know what to think. I'm worried about Sherzal getting a hold of her. I really have no idea what to think about her role yet. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to chapter 8 and I echo what was said above about new characters, thread work and Abbess Glass :) I'm really enjoying this series - the characters, the complexity of the world, the writing. One thing that slightly bothered me in book 1 was how mature Nona sounded at her very young age, and now that the characters are older it's not the case anymore.

(view spoiler)[Shadow - I wonder if Nona's shadow stayed with Yisht somehow and may be tracked in some way? And if ever found can it be reattached or is Nona to stay forever shadowless?

I miss Nona's everyday interactions with her friends but I really like this new angle of her relationship with Zole. Zole is still a very mysterious character, I'd like to see her open up some more and bond with Nona and other girls. Also I wonder if she's willingly participating in Sherzal's schemes or is unaware of it.

The Missing - I'm fascinated by the little snippets we are given about the Missing and what is left of them. I'm hoping we'll learn some more from Keot perhaps or when novices have their quest in ice lands. I'm almost certain Nona will find a way and a reason to embark on a quest of her own while at it :)

The Moon - love the idea of this man-made mechanism that keeps the world from ending. Nona's theory on Sherzal's desire for world domination through control of the Moon seems very plausible and also so simple! Could it be that no one else has thought of it?
I have a feeling that Sherzal is planning something for the feast of Stevvan when everyone who's anyone will presumably be in the same place at the same time. (hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "I'm up to chapter 8 and I echo what was said above about new characters, thread work and Abbess Glass :) I'm really enjoying this series - the characters, the complexity of the world, the writing. ..."

(view spoiler)[ Totally agree about the Missing! I can't wait for more!
I miss Ara honestly. But I find Zole very intriguing (hide spoiler)]

234
Quote spoiler
(view spoiler)[
"I didn't think you believed in all that Chosen One stuff?"
"I do not."
"Why then?"
Somewhere behind Kettle, Zole spoke in a voice almost too quiet to hear. "She is my friend."

Aw! I hope she is sincere, she is quickly becoming my favorite character. (hide spoiler)]

248
(view spoiler)[ I'm really stressed out right now. I feel like everything is falling apart. This Tacsis family and every person in any position of power is easily bought and evil. I'm sad, I feel like we may actually lose Glass at this point. (hide spoiler)]

page 256
a question
(view spoiler)[ Is the reason Nona is still alive because they know zole and kettle are coming for her? they have been trying to kill her for years, so I don't understand why they are keeping her alive. especially if tacsis hired them. (hide spoiler)]

I am right at half way (chapter 23). Wow, it has been a busy book. Joeli is a pain. I know they needed an antagonist but I wish she had more of a backstory or reason. (view spoiler)[ Maybe, her association with the inquisitors is the link that is missing. Kettle is like the assassins now is how she moves with shadow, which is very interesting and now she is following Noona, poor Apple. Well, the second half will be intersting since she is off on the way to the ice. I keep expecting Zole to join her too. (hide spoiler)]

I'm finished...Gah I LOVED it!!
Plot and character spoilers
(view spoiler)[Zole-wow! Zole was amazing! I am glad she played a bigger part, I wish she had more time honestly, but she came through when needed. I am worried about her now with the shipheart and the demon.

Ara-I missed her so much, she was not there for most of the book and I really enjoy her and Nona together.

Regol--I hope he stays and we get to have more of him in the next book. I also wonder if we will see Giljohn again and maybe he can have an actual allegiance to something other than money.

Clera-I don't care that she came through and helped. I hate her. She is a coward and I don't even know if she is redeemable unless she does something truly fantastic in the next.

Sherzal--Abbess Glass says that her heart and been shown and she will be judged but I feel like the people with power will want her to control the moon, so I don't think she's going anywhere.

Joeli--I wish her the most painful of deaths, I can't believe what she did to Darla, to all of them. She is just evil.

Yisht--this was surprising. Not her being awful, but the revelation of the shipheart and the devils and now she has Keot, too.

Kettle--bless Kettle, I was wondering at one point if we were going to find something unsavory about her, I guess I based that on Safira, I don't know. I liked the way she and Nona communicated--or not really communicated but traded consciousness.


Abbess Glass is badass! I love her. She did have incredible foresight and understanding, a master at strategy. I like that she admitted at the end that it kind of failed her, but I think its the people she couldn't account for--Zole, Ara, Nona, it will work out. (hide spoiler)]

Really looking forward to the next one.

Elena wrote: "I'm up to chapter 8 and I echo what was said above about new characters, thread work and Abbess Glass :) I'm really enjoying this series - the characters, the complexity of the world, the writing. ..."

I've been thinking along exactly the same lines with regards to Sherzal and her plans.

Finished chapter 16 and (view spoiler)[the Shade Trial was so great! I really liked that all Nona's friends stepped up to lend a hand. I'm a little concerned about her making a deal with the demon. Especially since it's Yisht she agreed to kill - someone she wants dead herself which might make it easier to lose control and let Keot take over.

I kinda like Keot too, esp. how he (it?) pretends not to care what humans are up to but actually does :) And how he grudgingly helps her when things are tight, however I'm sure he almost always pursues his own agenda.

One more thing I was wondering about - Sister Kettle mentioned that she only survived black ice during her mission because of the shadows in her. Does that possibly mean that Nona will have a chance since Keot is a part of her? (hide spoiler)]

Alison wrote: "Just finished chapter 16 and it really was brilliant. I love how creative Nona is and how determined and willin..."

(view spoiler)[Agree about the trap, Nona is making it way to easy for Joeli to manipulate her and her predictability allows Joeli to think a few steps ahead of her.

Another thing that worries me about Nona is that she sees failure to save Hessa as hers and hers alone and therefore puts the task to avenge Hessa and retrieve the shipheart solely on herself as well. That's why I was so happy to see her reach out to others to help her pass the Shade Trial. Hopefully she keeps at it. (hide spoiler)]

I am finally starting this tonight and I'm so excited for it!

I may have gotten carried away and have finished. I literally couldn't stop reading. Will post thoughts tomorrow but all I can say for now is ... Noooooooo!!! How am I supposed to wait for the next book???

Alison wrote: "I may have gotten carried away and have finished. I literally couldn't stop reading. Will post thoughts tomorrow but all I can say for now is ... Noooooooo!!! How am I supposed to wait for the next..."

i know--APRIL!!! *sobs*

Sunny wrote: "I am finally starting this tonight and I'm so excited for it!"

awesome, its really good, better than the first!

I have finished too and agree with most of what Teri wrote. Also, that ending.

(view spoiler)[ I am worried about Zole and the demons especially since she has been in none of the foreshadowing so it is hard to know what role she will play unless she is the reason the world is on fire. Second, I do not see Clera's endgame since she clearly is against Nona but the future foreshadowing events. Joeli's endgame just got shown so she makes more sense now. The next book should be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

I am up to chapter 25 and so much is happening! Ugh I can't wait to see what happens next and how everything unravels.

Okay, I've had a day to recover from that ending (I'm still not over it) so thoughts on the story and characters
(view spoiler)[
I thought this was so much better than Red Sister. There was just so much action and so many twists and turns. The twist in the middle with Nona being sentenced to death and going on the run took the story in such a fantastic direction. I was not expecting Nona to have to leave the convent and thought it would follow a similar outline to Red Sister with them only venturing out once they went on the ice ranging.

I do have to say I thought Nona's sentencing was a bit sudden and extreme and I was surprised there wasn't more of a fight against it from the sisters. Was it because it was all part of Glass's plan?

What I do love in this book is the friendships and the relationships between the characters. I didn't like that the author built the relationship between Nona and Darla so much only to kill off Darla. It was a repeat of Hessa and I kind of feel like the relationship was only developed for that reason. As we knew Ara doesn't die she was kinda pushed to the side.

I also wasn't sure about the changing between different povs. When it kept flipping between Nona/Kettle and Glass in the second half it was driving me crazy. I just wanted it to stick with Nona.

In terms of specific characters:-
Zole - I'm starting to love her a lot. I like how she's starting to open up and show some emotion. I am a bit worried about what the shipheart is going to do to her given what happened to Yisht

Keot - I was a little disappointed that he moved to Yisht as he made me laugh so much with his endless demands on Nona to kill everyone. I'm very curious about where he came from

Kettle - I liked her in the first book and now getting to know her better I like her even more. Similar to the Abbess though it's difficult to tell what she's really like as she seems to switch from one personality to another (fun and mischievious, serious and deadly, quite shy and dutiful). I do wonder if we've actually seen her.

Nona - she is just so completely determined to succeed no matter what that she's starting to seem invincible which I'm not sure is a good thing. There isn't that real sense of danger and it seems certain that she'll always win/succeed

Regol - does anyone else think there's some romance brewing between him and Nona?

Clera - I feel a bit sorry for her. She does seem to be mostly out for herself but she does try to help Nona. I think at some point she'll really step up
(hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 30
(view spoiler)[ I wonder if being taken to Sherzal's palace is what Abbess Glass actually wants. I remember it being mentioned that Inquisition can only judge nobility in their own homes, I'm very curious to see how this plays out. (hide spoiler)]