Challenge Corner discussion

A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

Set in the world of Nevernight, which Publishers Weekly called “absorbing in its complexity and bold in its bloodiness,” Godsgrave will continue to thrill and satisfy fantasy fans everywhere.

25% (view spoiler)[ okay I was confused at first but now I see that the chapters are alternating between how Mia became a slave and what she did as a slave I think. I think the slave part is her revenge whereas the path the becoming a slave is what she’s doing for the red church. I wish I’d read this sooner after Nevernight. I feel like I forgot everything 😂. That threesome at the beginning was hella intense and hot af. I don’t really remember Jessamine much. But I fucking love mr kindly. I hope we learn more about this new Darken. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ omg holy fuck Ashlyn actually isn’t evil! And is there attraction I’m smelling between her and Mia cause if so I AM HERE FOR IT. I wish stupid Furian had answers about Darken. I need to know more about them. Also if Mia doesn’t have her revenge at the end of this book I will riot. I also want Ashlyn and Mia to start a new church of assassins after this cause that would be amazing. And how the fuck is Mia gonna defeat this worm. I seriously can’t wait to see what will happen!!!! (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ holy duck I didn’t think Mia was crazy but she sure as hell is. And I love it. Omg that scene between Mia and Ashlyn was hot af and I definitely ship them. More than I shipped Mia and Trick too. This whole revenge scheme has been ducking amazing. All these fights are insane but I also love them! I can’t wait to see what will happen at godsgrave. Mia has to win. As I’m kinda scared now that Executus knows Furian and the Domina have been fucking. Tho idk what his problem is, Leona can make her own choices. I’m glad Furian stopped being an ass for a second and didn’t condemn Mia and bladesinger to death along with himself. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ THAT ENDING WAS SO INTENSE!!! Mia found her brother and she's actually Scava's daughter. Did Ashlyn manage to kill anyone with her backpack bomb? wHere does this map on her go? HOW IS TRICK ALIVE/WHAT IS HE NOW? I knew he was coming back, but I'm still shook. I'm glad Leona will be free of her father and she definitely should never be a business woman again. I love that Mia was able to rescue her fellow gladiatori and that they didn't actually die. Especially Sid, I really like him. I NEED DARKDAWN NOW OMG (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING MARCH 8TH, 2019

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Up to Ch5 (view spoiler)[I love Mia!! Like she cracks me up and she is so vicious. like seriously, how could you not love her as an MC! ALSO Mr. Kindly and Eclipse's banter is BACK! didn't realize how much I's miss it when I decided to take the hiatus from this series! Lol (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch 19 (view spoiler)[ I dont know whether I can trust Ash either!! A part of me wants to but idkkkk lol #MiasDilemma(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Ch.26 (view spoiler)[ The domb Sid just dropped on Mia!!!! Her Dad was gay!! BRUHHHHHH(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

CH.31 DAMN MIA! REALLY....IM DISAPPOINTED. TRULY

Finished: (view spoiler)[ man this book FAR exceeded my expectations!! It was so freaking good!! So happy that Mia is this sympathetic badass assasin. She makes me love her even more with every never turn! Ughhh that ending that ending!!! I need the 3rd book, like NOW!!! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

oh lord I'm behind!

I just got this audio <3 I'll start it tomorrow though.

20%: (view spoiler)[well fuck me sideways... Tric (TRICK?) man. I still don't believe he's dead... yet. (hide spoiler)]
60%: (view spoiler)[uhm,... wtf mia? why are you sleeping with the enemy? CAN YOU NOT FIND SOME OTHER VAGINA? (hide spoiler)]
80%: (view spoiler)[totally forgot to write down a comment.. but just know that I know that Mia knows that she's fucking crazy. I love her and all that jazz.. but damn honey. take a breather. (hide spoiler)]
100%: (view spoiler)[well.. holy moses batman. how many bombs were dropped on me today? LOTS! God these books are going to kill me.. (hide spoiler)]

*************** RESTARTING JULY 7TH 2019 ***************

Ch 7 - (view spoiler)[ Well of course he isn't going to be an ally....unless he wanted her to start off seeming like an underdog to survive the place better. Eh, I think she should just leave the darken to himself; she has a job to do - although, I would really like to understand what it is!!! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 14 - (view spoiler)[ Gah! Things are so uncertain! I can barely take it. Can we get back to fighting for her life. That's a train of thought I can follow easily. LOL. Seriously though, she is going to have to gain some more allies within this group. I don't think she can do it on her own, even with what's her name on the outside. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 26 - (view spoiler)[ Oh no, Maggot! Mia better watch out, if she shows too much knowledge about all this stuff, she might give herself away. This house is the worst! If it isn't one person trying to kill Mia, it's Leona's father. Can we get to the final bout now, I can't take the suspense anymore. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - EEK!! (view spoiler)[ Gah, I can't believe Scala survived! Will this quest for revenge ever end??? and Tric!!!!!! I knew we would see him again! I just didn't expect it as a shadow creature thingy. So, I hope that Mia will go after the crown now. I need the next book now! (hide spoiler)]

NOOOOO! The next book doesn't come out for two months!!!! I can't, I can't wait that long!!!

I'm starting this today!

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Mia found another darken! I wonder why he's so against using their abilities? And why he doesn't have a companion? He and Mia are drawn together because of their abilities I guess, I wonder if that will go anywhere. (hide spoiler)]
End of book 1 (view spoiler)[ Mia's idea to pretend she was wounded to win was so smart. I wonder if/when we'll see her brother, if he's still alive? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 19 (view spoiler)[ When they all had food poisoning, I was getting queasy, ew. I like Mia's developing relationship with Ash, but I'm worried she's playing Mia (hide spoiler)]
Ch 21 (view spoiler)[ Whew! That was pretty hot! *fans self* (hide spoiler)]
End of book 2 (view spoiler)[ That was so crazy! I wasn't sure who was going to make it out. I'm glad Furian finally used some of his powers. Leona makes me so angry, all she cares about is money and sticking it to her dad. She doesn't care about her fighters dying, even Furian. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 28 (view spoiler)[I don't think Archades (sp?) was the one to betray her, he loved Leona. So they probably still have a rat in their ranks. I'm really glad Furian broke it off with Leona, he's finally realizing she doesn't care about him (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[ Tric is back!! And he saved Ash, which is crazy. I can't wait for him to reunite with Mia, ah!! It's too bad Mia has to kill Furian, it would have been cool having another darkin. And we saw her brother, what? (hide spoiler)]
How can you end like that?!

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2019

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Excited to start this :D

I was super lucky and got an ARC of Darkdawn, but I'm excited to see what you guys think of it!

Oh that's so lucky indeed ! I'm on love with the UK colors if the first book is a 4-5 star for me I'm going to get the entire set :')

Yeah the covers are so pretty!

Started

Chapter 1/2% (view spoiler)[Not sure what to think about it yet, so far okay I guess (hide spoiler)]

Damselflies wrote: "Started

Chapter 1/2% [spoilers removed]"

Yay hope you like it so far!!

6% (view spoiler)[So far enjoying it, how can you not love the MC a fierce murderous female that's also polite on top of it haha (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 4/7% (view spoiler)[Excuse me ?!?!?! Why did Captain Puddles had to die ?! -offended- (hide spoiler)]
9% (view spoiler)[Have we met the (first) love interest of Mia perhaps ? (hide spoiler)]
10% (view spoiler)[Conflicted about this scene with this desert kraken, I would've liked to see her at least get a little hurt realistically speaking and probably it not ending with her throwing a pot of chili in the beasts mouth... but that's just me probably... (hide spoiler)]

13% (view spoiler)[I hope that 3 turns of a month equals to 3 days, cause otherwise Jay Kristoff needs a biology lesson :') (hide spoiler)]
16 %(view spoiler)[I think I might've gotten too much expectations with this, especially because it started with basically, warning, not for the faint of heart, and how it's definitely not YA. And yeah it's definitely bloody and there's gore, but it could've gone even further more towards adult. (I'm now thinking of the author Darren Shan, YA writer that also uses serious amounts of gore, but I would definitely still classify it as YA and not NA or even just plain adult) MC hasn't gotten hurt so far, Naev has miraculously not died yet, and in all honesty, coming from someone doing studies in medical field, it's just straight ridiculous, her chest is ripped open and her guts are damaged hanging out of her, it's 4 hours later and she's still alive. She should be as dead as can be. An aspect that again leans against more towards YA, everyone magically survives and etc, the MC is invincible (so far at least except when meeting a horse, the only thing that might possible be able to kill her ?). This really has me conflicted. If I didn't have all these expectations and it didn't start with "not for the faint of heart" and such, then I think I would love it more than right now. At the moment, how horrible it may sound, it's okay, it's fine. I really hope I'll enjoy it better further down :( (hide spoiler)]
17% (view spoiler)[Whenever something like this happens I'm just going to go for, it's magic, it's fantasy, peeps don't die here, for sure Naev is going to survive this ordeal now, I'll just let it be her "blood magic" be the thing she survived those 4 long hours and then the many hours afterward it took to get to those mountains (hide spoiler)]
24% (view spoiler)[I hope Tric killed him (hide spoiler)]
24% (view spoiler)[ I think Naev killed him, to kind of settle the debt between her and Tric (hide spoiler)]
30% (view spoiler)[ Oh so Hush is the killer ? too bad we barely know anything about him so far (hide spoiler)]

I have finished the first 2 books in this series and I couldn't wait to get the last book!! I finally got my copy!! So I will start last one!!

I really enjoyed the first 2 books!!

Loved reading your comments!! I am soooo excited for you to read more!! can't wait for you to get to all the juicy bits!!


I will be sure to hide all spoilers!!

10% into Darkdawn

(view spoiler)[Does Jay Kristoff have kids? Because carrying a ten year old boy and running and swimming? no!!! I don;t think so!!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-5: (view spoiler)[ How I missed the weird narrator and Mia. Shit has really hit the fan now that she has to drag her brother around who refuses to believe they are siblings. Then there is Mercurio being captured and finding Nevernight and Godsgrave in the library of the red church (that gave me a chuckle) and now Tric finally showing himself to Mia and explaining she has been chosen by the goddess of murder herself since she holds a piece of her son's soul. Interesting that Kristoff chose to explain everything on the last book. Well with all this new info let's see what happens (hide spoiler)]

TheYALibrarian wrote: "
Chapters 1-5: [spoilers removed]"

I Agree Completely!!! I am absolutely enjoying this book tremendously!! So far its a 5 star read!!!

Chapter 14

(view spoiler)[I like dead-Tric as much as alive Tric. (hide spoiler)]

Adrie wrote: "TheYALibrarian wrote: "
Chapters 1-5: [spoilers removed]"

I Agree Completely!!! I am absolutely enjoying this book tremendously!! So far its a 5 star read!!!

Chapter ..."

Glad your enjoying it too I'm loving it every moment as well :)

Chapter 6-13:
(view spoiler)[Undead Tric is really interesting. Definitely not the Tric we once knew but he still has some sass and some emotions it seems. Don't blame him for jabbing Ash here and there I would too if I was stuck hanging around the person who murdered me. I also like the new character Cloud the pirate and his crew it seems that we will be seeing more of him since he is more than happy to let Mia stay since she basically did the favor of killing Duomo who raped his brother and drove him to suicide. Yhonen is still a brat but can't blame him he's a 9 year old boy who has the world handed to him and said world has been turned upside down now that he is stuck with the sister he never knew existed and hates. Also aaaah I'm not ready for Mia to meet her end but the narrator made that clear it was going to happen but Mercurio actually reading how it happens makes it all too real. Thank god there's more chapters and more adventures in store. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26

Oh me oh my!!!!!

(view spoiler)[I love Mia!!! When she killed that King and inherited his crown!! Brilliant!! Typical Mia!!! And finally her brother is warming to her!! And Tric is warming, hahhaha

I have nothing against being gay, but I secretly do hope she somehow ends up with Tric, I know, i know, i know, this book is about her death and she most probably will die.

My speculation is that her brother will kill her and get per part of the God in her and become stronger. Or she becomes the godess of Death..... (hide spoiler)]

74% Chapter 35

(view spoiler)[Okay so Mia has to die for this!! I knew it!! But of course i am hoping she finds a loophole.

But Jay Kristoff says - "I don't believe in happy endings' so I am thnking -

SHe is going to kill her father kiss her brother and give her life (hide spoiler)]

91%

I love a book where all my predictions go wrong!!

The power of words!!! Wow!!!

I will need a rebound book after this one!!

I am done.
My heart is done for!!
IT beat and bled and broke and soared!!

loved IT!!!!!

(view spoiler)[THe ending was perfect!! Jonnen as the new Speaker is right. Mia and Ashlin is right. I loved the way Mercurio was the author of the Nevernight Chronicles (hide spoiler)]

79% (view spoiler)[I'm so glad that I slowly gotten swept up in the book in the end. The writing gotten a little better and I do love Mia. Especially after all that happened now, she's a great MC. Loved also how Ash and Oz ended up being the bad apples in the bunch, I now get whenever I see, I hate the ship Mia/Ash where it might be coming from rofl. Curious how it'll end.
Also I think it helped because I saw the authors sharing a tweet of him explicitly pointing out some things, like, the MC lets admit is bit of a Mary Sue, but he owns it, it is knowingly written like that, and I can appreciate it more that it was a very conscious choice. (hide spoiler)]

Whoops, forgot to update here

Finished (couple days ago now :') )
(view spoiler)[In the end it was an enjoyable read for me after all ! Especially because Mia is just such a badass (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9. (view spoiler)[Ugh I fucking love this world so much. I definitely have learned so much about the world building by rereading. Idk how I didn’t know there wasn’t actual night time 🙈 but I am loving seeing Mia on her journey. I can’t wait to see what she does in the Red Church. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 18. (view spoiler)[The blood walk is gross but also fucking cool as shit. Adonai is freaking hot 😂😂😂 also patiently waiting for Mia to realize she likes Tric and possibly women. I love Aaleas class but Spiderkiller is definitely my favorite. Her shrugs over almost killing classmates is hilarious! I wish Cassius would tell us more about darkin. I want answers. I also need to know what happened to Mia during her first truedark as a darkin. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 32 (view spoiler)[ Omg the truedark memories!! I forgot we find out about them in this book. There's so much I've forgotten and I love getting to relive Mia's journey with her. I love Mia and Tric together. I don't think it will end well, but ugh they're so great. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Damn Mia I am so proud rn. That battle in the Trial of Songs. SO BADASS!!! Diamo got what was coming to him. I was so shocked when Ashlinn was teaming up with the Luminatii! I never would've thought. Also I NEED to know what the fuck she told Shahid Aalea to win. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9 (view spoiler)[I love the dual timelines going on. I wonder why Mia decided to let herself be captured as a slave and sold as a gladiatti. Obviously it has something to do with Duomo being in rags next to the victor but besides that idk what’s up. I’m curious to know why she’s not working as a Blade anymore. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 16 (view spoiler)[I’m so nervous about Mia working with Ashlinn but there’s something about Ash that I inherently trust. I think it’s that I can so clearly see Ash truly cares for Mia. But I’m also nervous about this because their trust is so tenuous and I feel like it could snap any time. I love seeing the other gladiatti and I’m really curious about Sid and his story fighting for Mias father. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 25 (view spoiler)[holy fuck I was so nervous for that battle!! I’m so sad about Byern!! I love that Mia has made friends and that her experiences as a gladiatti have changed her. She’s still my little murder cupcake but she’s so clearly capable of caring for people and ugh I melt. ALSO HER AND ASH 💕💕💕 (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ AGH that was so damn good!! I love that Mia saved her fellow gladiatti and took down all the sanguilas. I hope Leona and Arkades will have a good life wherever they decide to settle. HOW TF IS TRIC ALIVE!?! I need answers!! And Mia has Jonnen <3 but fuck me, her actual father is Scaeva :/ (hide spoiler)]

I am loving your comments!!! I so thoroughly enjoyed this series!!!
Enjoy!!!!

I'll get to Darkdawn this month!! Just going to add this thread to the Nov calendar so it's updated :D

Book 1 (view spoiler)[ Holy shit! So many answers in less than 100 pages. I think I'm in shock with everything we learned about Tric, Darkin and Mercurio. ALSO MERCURIO IS THE FUCKIN NARRATOR I AM SO PUMPED. That means he makes it right?? God I hope so. I am loving this so much but I'm also dead inside. Jonnen is such a little shit. And holy fuck of course Scaeva is a damned Darkin too. His conversation with Mia was so intriguing I can't wait to see what will happen. (hide spoiler)]

Book 2 (view spoiler)[Holy shit. I’m sad that Bryn and Wakewaker died. mia was so happy with all of them 😭. AND DOES THAT BLOOD MESSAGE MEAN NAEV IS COMING!?! 🙏🙌🙏🙌 I hope it does I love her. And MERCURIO is such a sly fuck. I love him and Aelius for conspiring to find Mia allies inside the church. (hide spoiler)]

Book 3 (view spoiler)[holy shit. I can’t wait to see Mia during Truedark. She’s going to be amazing. I am really fucking worried because Drusilla has DD in her possession! Will Mia still be able to take her down? FFS I hope so. I want to see Mia as the Lady of Blades. Also that scene with Tric holy cow. That was intense. I’m glad she pulled away but damn I also hurt for Tric. (hide spoiler)]

Book 4 (view spoiler)[FUCK WHY 😫😫😭 NOT ASH! Why did it have to be her and Naev!? I’m so scared that Sid and Singer won’t survive this book. Like O god pls let someone survive. I’m so happy MERCURIO and Mia we’re reunited tho. I love that grumpy old bastard. I’m so not ready for Mia to seek the crown of the moon. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Definitely teared up there a bit at the end! Agh I'm such a sap for a happy ending. I'm so glad Tric helped Ashlinn come back. Agh I love her so much. I'm ready for a Jonnen spin off! (hide spoiler)]

Yay! I just got a copy. I just have to finish up a couple things before I dive in.

Woohoo

Book One - (view spoiler)[ Not surprised that Scaeva was her father. Not at all. So are we going to get a love triangle with Tric and Ashlyn now? (hide spoiler)]

Book Two - (view spoiler)[ Man that sucked - just when those two were about to find some happiness together, they get murdered. A bit depressing - the poor boy died a virgin. Mia is going to push everyone away. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 20 - (view spoiler)[ No, not Mr. Kindly! It wasn't his fault! I don't like this. (hide spoiler)]
Book Three - (view spoiler)[ UGH. I really wanted her to get together with Tric. I mean come on! He came back from the dead for her and she just shut him down! I am still suspicious of Ashlyn. I keep waiting for her to betray Mia. I think it will happen at the end of the map. (hide spoiler)]
Book Four - (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Ashlyn is dead. Although, I will admit that I thought we might get a threesome out of this book before the series ended.

I'm also beginning to realize that someone is going to have to kill Mia's brother to reunite his piece of soul with the others.
I think Scaeva will do it soon. He doesn't seem above killing his own son to gain power. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - Where to start?? (view spoiler)[ First - DAMN good series. I'm sad it is over.

Now on to random thoughts: I'm so glad Mr. Kindly redeemed himself in Mia's eyes. I seriously cried a little when she chased him away and then the author kept referring to the cat-shaped hole in her heart and it got me teary every time. Oh, and when Eclipse died - oh the tears. I can't believe Jonnen just betrayed her like that. I don't care if it was to follow his father, that was just wrong. I kept hoping that when that nasty snake got its due, somehow Mia would be able to separate their shadows again.

Mia's happy ending - Meh. I didn't like Ashlyn. I really wanted her to end up with Tric. Maybe that whole argument that the Blood guy made about how his power came with a price and how that price made it more valuable. I felt like Tric paid a hefty price for loving Mia and therefore his love should have meant more. I'm not sure Ashlyn really paid anything. Yeah, her brother died, but that was more a price for their failed attempt to bring down the church. She wasn't even in love with Mia back then. And what the heck was up with Tric just committing suicide there at the end. Like really? He either didn't have any faith that Mia would survive or he just didn't want to put in the effort to try to win her over afterward. Yet, he is still my choice. I'm messed up, I guess. (hide spoiler)]

Started
4% (view spoiler)[I'm still on the edge about the writing with moments like with the first book (hide spoiler)]