YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

Starting June 26th, 2019!

40% (Chapter 17): (view spoiler)[I really love the writing in this, and I think Elisabeth and Nathaniel are both very well-written ... but the worldbuilding is really confusing. The sorcerers are evil ... but they aren't? I can see why Elisabeth might only think they're evil because she was raised in the country by librarians who are sworn to protect the kingdom from sorcery, but I find it hard to believe that there exist two completely opposing factions within the kingdom and ... no tension at all? Also, the plot is unfolding really slowly, to the point where I'm getting bored, and Elisabeth and Nathaniel's relationship is full of cliches.

That being said, I do love the idea of living, even dangerous books. I kind of wish Margaret Rogerson gave us more scenes where Elisabeth interacts with the books -- as it is, we just get a lot of statements like "she's a daughter of the library" and "you have a way with books" but no scenes that actually show Elisabeth's "affinity" for the grimoires. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 9 (view spoiler)[ It took Elisabeth way too long to realize Nathaniel was playing with her, but omg it was hilarious. Silas is totally a demon and I'm just waiting for the girl to get the hint that book is trying to shove down her throat. I think Finch had something to do with that grimoire escaping and turning into a maledict or whatever. I don't trust him at all and he's an asshole (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 19 (view spoiler)[ Oh man what a whirlwind this has been!! So much has happened and I'm really enjoying it. I was kind of sad that a good portion wasn't in a library but now Elisabeth is back at one, I couldn't be happier. I have a feeling that Nathaniel's deal with Silas hinges on him producing an heir/falling in love. I hope Elisabeth will be able to pull off taking down Ashcroft. I worry for her friend who's under Finch's power. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 30 (view spoiler)[ Oh man, the great libraries are part of a pentagram!!! Holy shit this is some crazy ass shit but I am loving it! This is such a great story and I was convinced Nathaniel was gonna die after that battle with Ashcroft. I hope Silas won't be released if Ashcroft is successful in summoning the Arkon(??) (hide spoiler)]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[This might already be shaping up for an early romance, which isn't my fave, but the entire first scene between Elisabeth and the sorcerer was hilarious!

I am loving this concept! Books muttering in their sleep, being tickled along their spines to reveal hidden passageways, and possessing the mentality to absorb their contents is all so fascinating! Elisabeth clearly has some sort of odd affinity with them. She also can smell the sorcerer's magic, which is unusual. Maybe she is one of them?

Her fight against the grimoire was a tense one but I knew the blame placed upon her and her incarceration would somehow lead her back to the sorcerer and the world beyond the library walls. (hide spoiler)]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[ Loving the concept but not all the scenes which felt obvious to me, as a reader, but our MC is naive to. I felt it obvious that Nathaniel owned a demon and that he wasn't transporting her to her death. I love the sections detailing the intriguing concept of books but parts of this, in between, feel too lengthy to really hold my intrigue. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[ Again, loving so much of this but feeling entirely 'meh' with other sections. The Beauty and the Beast refrences are abundant but the author has completely transformed them into something new and entirely her own.

I really like Elisabeth but she is a tad naive. I feel I'm getting some of the twists long before she is. Others though still catch me by surprise, like the reveal about the formation of the libraries and the dimmension ! (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[My thoughts are still the same as all the way through - love the concept but a rad bored by other areas of this.

The best thing this book did was give life to books. I adored their personality growth and felt so sad when they were harmed, such as when the codex was tortured. The author really knew how to play with a bibliophile's emotions! (hide spoiler)]

starting this audio now :) super pumped!

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Again, loving so much of this but feeling entirely 'meh' with other sections. The Beauty and the Beast refrences are abundant but the author has completely transformed them into so..."

I totally missed the Beauty & the Beast references lol

Alaina wrote: "starting this audio now :) super pumped!"

Yay!

Andrea wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Again, loving so much of this but feeling entirely 'meh' with other sections. The Beauty and the Beast refrences are abundant but the author has completely transforme..."

Ooh, maybe it was just me looking into things too much haha. (view spoiler)[ When they were in the cart and chased by demons, the libraries, the inanimate objects speaking to her, and the mirror showing her Kerstin all seemed like refrences to me. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 14: (view spoiler)[weelll well.. this kind of reminds me of that one Nicole kidman movie.. THE INVASION! yes okay that will forever be in mind with this book. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 23: (view spoiler)[bow chica chica wow w.. oh oops - it didn't happen. what a fucking tease. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 27. (view spoiler)[no.. why hello you weird person (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[pretty cool book that kind of reminded me of that one movie (mentioned in first comment) and the golden compass in a way? Probably because of the demons? I don't know I'm a bit tired so it's all good if this makes ZERO sense to anyone (including myself). Still enjoyed this book but I need a NAP!. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Again, loving so much of this but feeling entirely 'meh' with other sections. The Beauty and the Beast refrences are abundant but the author has comple..."

They totally could be!!

Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

lmao the golden compass?! I can see it though

Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

lmao the golden compass?! I can see it though"

lmaoo I don't know why and I just realized.. Nicole fucking kidman is in that movie as well - right?

Alaina wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

lmao the golden compass?! I can see it though"

lmaoo I don't know why and I just realized.. Nicole fucking kidman is in that movie as w..."

Yeah I think so!

Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

lmao the golden compass?! I can see it though"

lmaoo I don't know why and I just realized.. Nicole fucking kidman is in ..."

..why am I suddenly obsessed with Nicole kidman?

Alaina wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

lmao the golden compass?! I can see it though"

lmaoo I don't know why and I just realized.. Nicole fuckin..."

lol i have no idea

Phahaha. Loved these updates! I totally see the links though.

43%
I wrote down notes when my internet connection was bad ill be posting them tomorrow but i love the writing style so far

Bookishlybeety wrote: "43%
I wrote down notes when my internet connection was bad ill be posting them tomorrow but i love the writing style so far"

Glad you're enjoying 😊

I'm not sure who all is reading this on the 12th but I'm totally going to start early!

39%

(view spoiler)[ The director is dead, Elizabeth was blamed
for the director’s death and was taken to the Magesterium by Nathaniel and was acquitted.
The Chancellor is the one attacking the libraries.
Somehow Elizabeth was able to fight off Laurali’s attempts to control her mind (hide spoiler)]

@ Naj I went with the Audio and sped it up to 3.0X. The narrator wasn't that bad shes just a little soft spoken and kind of bland at times.

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ What in the world is going on! Demons running around rampant. The narrator portrays Silas as kinda... boring despite the facts lol. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ I love the entire idea about the books and the wardens in this story. I feel like the book bits and pieces are the highlights! All these books having personality and containing their own magic! Ashcraft is poking around in some deep doo doo. This girl is just now realizing the world isn't near as black and white as she thought! What is she going to do with this sword? I'm so confused about Silas.. is he good... he keeps going on and on and on about how he isn't... (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 30: (view spoiler)[ Oh no Ashcraft is around murdering people and trying to summon something awful but everyone is so hateful to the Thorns.. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[ I'll be honest I'm glad they put her to rights as far as Warden training went. This was a hard book to get into for me. I was constantly getting distracted even with the audio turned up super fast. I think it was the narrator's soft spokenness... I don't know It kind of lulled me out of the story. It was just ok for me all together. (hide spoiler)]

Naj wrote: "Page 110 [spoilers removed]"

I started late but i'm going to catch up today!

@ Naj - Its a long book. Are you not enjoying it?

Just started today. Going to get a few more chapters in before I post my thoughts but the first chapter was promising!

Got you. I don't tend to like reading bigger books but I'm enjoying reading it as well.

Chapters 1-5
(view spoiler)[ I liking the set up of the MC. Everything's going fast but not too fast. I've gotten a sense of her character before she was accused of murder. I have a feeling the sorcerer's will try to give her a truth serum or something and she'll be able to tell the truth or more likely the guy she met before or someone will notice she has a gift for magic. She's obviously special or a chosen one so I'm curious if her parents were powerful sorcerer's or what. (hide spoiler)]

@ Naj - Yeah, it's obvious YA fantasy but I knew going in it was probably going to be like that from the quote.

Chapter 6-10

(view spoiler)[ She's already been vindicated. Obviously, Silas was a demon. Would like to know more about his brother's death. I'm sure he killed him but possibly because he was about to die. Probably a demon attack or something. I'm sure now that someway or another Nathaniel will be in charge of her, they will find she has the potential for magic, and probably make her an apprentice. (hide spoiler)]

Naj wrote: "Page 179 mild spoiler..


"you care about her master, more than I have seen you care about anything in years" that sentence literally made my eyes roll. Let's leave that at wattpad"

lol. Yeah, again it is a YA fantasy.

Okay, I'm stopping on page 169. I'm disappointed who the villain is.

Chapters 11-15

(view spoiler)[ Wow, the villain was so easy. I will say that I thought something different will happen but I wasn't looking for a villain. I'm kind of annoyed with these last few chapters. I can't believe the escape and the whole memory thing. Did she lose that memory btw? Sucks because it was really sweet. The escape was easy too. It's going by fast at least. Now let me guess - she's going to run into or look for Nathaniel and he's the only one who believes her. (hide spoiler)]

Naj wrote: "True, still that whoke quote made me so disappointed with this whole book. She tries to hard to keep it subtle with the things between Nathaniel and Elisabeth, while it's painfully obvious"

You're scaring me lol. Im not super far into the book yet but it's a slow read for me at this point. I hope it picks up 😬

@ Naj - For a 456 page book. It doesn't need to be rushed which is the problem.

@ Paige - I still enjoy parts of the story. You might enjoy it more.

Chapters 16 - 20

(view spoiler)[ Nathaniel's tragic back story... Eh. I wish it would have explained by Nathaniel or with a flashback. It didn't seem very tragic or emotional like it should be.

I do like Silas and Elisabeth's relationship. I didn't care for the story and sword part but I did enjoy them going to the library and the scene with the opera book lol.

Of course the library was easy to get into... (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21 - 25

(view spoiler)[ Really? Parsifal knew who she was. The one who she liked instantly?

I like that since she grew up at the library that she has this magical perception and protection. Her moment at the Royal Library realizing how the librarians and her were different in the way the books acted towards her was a nice moment.

Why they would think to out the villain like that... You just played your hand. I would just have find a way to kill him.

That was a good cliffhanger though when Silas was captured. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 26 - 30

(view spoiler)[ The whole demon taking off years. I get it but I don't know it also seems silly that they get their magic from having a demon. But I do understand that that's the sacrifice for magic which there needs to be one.

Okay, Nathaniel suddenly being bi... what is that? That was just put in their randomly for no reason. (hide spoiler)]

I thought of you Naj when I read this on page 343 (view spoiler)[ "God, Elisabeth, I've been doomed since the moment I watched you smack a fiend off my carriage with a crowbar. How could you not tell? Silas has been rolling his eyes at me for weeks. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31 to the end

(view spoiler)[ Everything is a happily ever after but it would have been nice if there was a little more suffering. I did like how all the books listened to her and fought for her. I do hope she doesn't have to lose years of her life to get Silas back but who knows. It's not a series. So much potential for this one! It was fun but yeah like any other YA Fantasy out there. (hide spoiler)]

Naj wrote: "The mention of a blind woman, Katrien having no interest in sexual relationships and the lgbtq references are so random. I'm glad that she acknowledged them but it's just thrown in there without an..."

Exactly!

Naj wrote: "@adriana haha thanks for thinking about me, even tho I'm not on that page I still read it, can't say I'm surprised that he said that"

Haha, the rolling the eyes part is what made me think of you.

Naj wrote: "On page 335 now I liked this part of the story more than the rest [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Well he clearly cares for him since he saw him grow up. I guess taking care of a person and being a close confidant can do that to a demon. And the higher born demons seem a bit more dignified/human than the lesser demons. (hide spoiler)]

This book is just not holding my interest sadly. Which sucks because I was hoping this book could get me out of my reading slump 😫I hope ya'll enjoy the ending though!

56%

(view spoiler)[Elisabeth is back with Nathaniel and she and Silas stole the codex demonicus from the royal library's restricted section (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who wasn't that impressed with the book because I thought the second half was kind of boring

I have given 5 stars to some YA I think I would go back and change now that I've read more and my tastes have changed so maybe that's the case with the 5 star reviews.

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Date changed. Restarting September 13th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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