Challenge 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.

Act fast! The first printing of the hardcover includes a collector’s edition poster!

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
—
Ooh! Lindhall! I remember youuuuu
—
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)]

I can't wait to start this 😭😭 but I'm behind on books ugh

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)]

Natalie wrote: "Chapter 1-2:
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 Numai..."

DUDE YES I STILL CALL HIM NUMAIR XD Wait was Lindhall in the immortals series? I don't remember him

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)]

Natalie wrote: "Chapter 6: [spoilers removed]..."

(view spoiler)[ Yes the slavery is the worst! I hope Arram will one day free Musenda before he leaves Carthak for good! (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)]

Natalie wrote: "Chapter 17: [spoilers removed]..."

(view spoiler)[ I wonder if she was killed because of her knowledge of lightning snakes. I feel like that definitely has something to do with it. (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)]

Natalie wrote: "Finished! [spoilers removed].."

(view spoiler)[ Omg I was so convinced they were going to bring in Musenda as well!! i'm incredibly glad he was not killed. I hope he survives the series. I really want Arram to free him somehow. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ OMg fucking Chioke either just tried to kill Arram or remove him as Ozorne's friend. I knew he wasn't to be trusted. He has to be involved in Stiloit's and Faziy's death, I just know it.

I wonder if Arram will remember to tell Ozorne about the Hag's message for him?? Also, I have no idea how to feel about Varice and Arram. They're adorable and it makes my heart happy, BUT DAINE AND NUMAIR ARE MY OTP YOU CANT MESS WITH THAT SHIT! (hide spoiler)]

😰 I forgot about this book. Thank god I actually own it!! Maybe this weekend will just be a physical book thing

Alaina wrote: "😰 I forgot about this book. Thank god I actually own it!! Maybe this weekend will just be a physical book thing"

Whenever you read it just lemme know! I can't wait to see what you think of it!

Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Chapter 1-2:
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 t..."

Yep! He was! (view spoiler)[He was one of Ozorne's mages, and kept a menagerie of animals there c: He ends up having a pet reanimated bird of some sort thanks to Daine ;D (hide spoiler)]

...I apparently was not subscribed to this. Oops.

Andrea wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Oh my gosh yes, the stuff about the "member" was weird as hell. I suppose it's just typical Tamora Pierce writing though... she didn't shy away from periods and such in the female-POV novels so why would she shy away from the same kind of topic in a male-POV novel I guess? 8'D (hide spoiler)]

Natalie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

That's fair enough. I'm glad it only came up a few times

Natalie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Chapter 1-2:
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 befo..."

That's okay, you managed to make it back anyway!

Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

That's fair enough. I'm glad it only came up a few times"

Me too XD It was definitely weird.

Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Chapter 1-2:
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 i..."

I did! :D