Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

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Thanks, Margret! So excited for this

Read part 4 of the book.

Lila(view spoiler)[It was fun watching Lila tricking pirates and looting them but I don't approve her murdering people. I feel she killed the pirate of the Night Spire when she was caught stealing his purse in tavern was not right. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I am very excited to see Kell fighting in the tournament. I want to see a match between Kell and Alucard. I don't know what happened between Alucard and Kell but I am eager to see on whose side Lila will take. Holland is alive. I had a hunch he was alive. He is really a poor soul. Even after being free from the Dane's spell he became host for this 'shadow' guy from Black London. Excited to see what this 'Shadow's' real plan is. (hide spoiler)]

You're fast! I'm on ch. 4 or so. It's going quicker than I thought (which is good). I'll try to get in some chapters before sharing my thoughts

Aakash wrote: "Read part 4 of the book.

Lila[spoilers removed]

[spoilers removed]"

Agree about Lila. (view spoiler)[ her taking an entireship - and that too the Copper Thief - was really impressive. As for murder...well along with being a thief she is a murderer too so (hide spoiler)]

On ch.5 Part 2

I'm worried about (view spoiler)[ Kell. I hope him smiling and enjoying the street fight wasn't because of something possessing him like that black stone. And I wonder what it actually is (hide spoiler)]

I'm on part 4 (just finished part 3)
Haven't been able to read between classes much

(view spoiler)[ nothing has really happened much. No plot yet...it's kind of dull, really. Something is gonna happen at the elemental games, I feel it.
I'm gonna be upset if Lila gets in, she's a newbie and shouldn't be so good so quickly
Is Alucard gonna give Kell a tough match? Why would Kell agree to join (hide spoiler)]

Maria wrote: "I'm on part 4 (just finished part 3)
Haven't been able to read between classes much

nothing has really happened much. No plot yet...it's kind of dull, really. Something is gonna happen at the ele..."

I am enjoying it. Reading about Lila and Kell but I agree that for some time nothing will happen. I have completed part 7 and now at the end of part 7 the real plot appeared.

About Alucard: you will definitely be surprised after reading more about him in upcoming chapters. He is a type of character who I want to hate but can't do. He hadn't done anything wrong(yet).

That's really interesting- I figured Alucard will be more interesting the more we know of his backstory!

Lila is having some adventures, but it's Kell's perspectives I look forward to. And now we have Rhy, too! I just love Red London. It's really atmospheric and I can't wait for more magic demonstrations

I'm on part 5, ch. 2. Just gonna say - (view spoiler)[ I was suspecting a love triangle and I was right. But I didn't expect Lila to like Alucard back like that, but she clearly does because she did kiss him back

I'm interested to see what happens when they arrive in London. Excited for Kell and Alucard's duel (hide spoiler)]

Maria wrote: "I'm on part 5, ch. 2. Just gonna say - I was suspecting a love triangle and I was right. But I didn't expect Lila to like Alucard back like that, but she clearly doesn't because she did kiss him back..."

I was cringing at that scene but it's not like Lila and Kell were official. I still believe Kell and Lila's bond is quite stronger than Lila and Alucard's. Oh, now I understand why I wanted to hate Alucard. XD.

Sorry, I quite rushed it and completed it. I had so much free time and this was very interesting story to read and besides my school is gonna resume from tomorrow.

Ending:

(view spoiler)[Just please someone say that my ebook is damaged and the last few chapters are not printed. I am feeling a little cheated. It seems like nothing major was happening until Kell was tricked and was captured by Holland and Ojka and when the time of action comes the book ends. WTF. I am very dissatisfied with the ending. I am not saying that the book was boring or nothing was intersting, It was very interesting and I love it but how can V E Schwab end the book at this point. (hide spoiler)]

Aakash wrote: "Sorry, I quite rushed it and completed it. I had so much free time and this was very interesting story to read and besides my school is gonna resume from tomorrow.

Ending:

[spoilers removed]"

Oh, don't be sorry! I'll get to this spoiler when I'm done. Glad you enjoyed it, though ^_^

Aakash wrote: "Maria wrote: "I'm on part 5, ch. 2. Just gonna say - I was suspecting a love triangle and I was right. But I didn't expect Lila to like Alucard back like that, but she clearly doesn't because she d..."

Yeah, same. That scene made me uncomfortable, too, and I did figure that's why you disliked Alucard ;)

I'm about 90% through (finished part 9) and will finish the book a bit later in the day. But I still wanna share some things

(view spoiler)[ So Kell didn't face off against Alucard (how disappointing) but he did against Lila. I knew if they faced off Kell would let her off easy...which is kinda true but he did that to lose. When I was just wondering if the winner will have to take off the mask or something!

Anyways I've noticed Kell is really slow lol. Alucard noticed and figured out Lila had one working eye. (I wonder how the glass never breaks in any of her fights. Maybe it's enchanted. I have a feeling she's an Antari but her black eye was taken out for reasons). And he seems to sense her presence without looking, even while she's being quiet. Kell has a lot to catch up to, about Lila.

Also, why is Lila having come from a different London a big deal? We have multiple Londons in our world! 😂 (there's one in US as well)

I'm definitely annoyed that Lila is so skilled at her magic while only having discovered and practiced it for like, three months. But I suppose she has something going on, some power.

(hide spoiler)] also, what do you think of Kell(view spoiler)[ leaving Red London trinkets in Grey like that? And displaying magic to that man, the enthusiast. He left a coin too. (hide spoiler)]

I feel like Kell is not himself in this book. I understand his turmoil but where is my showy magic boy? In the arena, I suppose.

I have some more general thoughts but I'll share em after the ending, all in all

Maria wrote: "I'm about 90% through (finished part 9) and will finish the book a bit later in the day. But I still wanna share some things

So Kell didn't face off against Alucard (how disappointing) but he did..."

Wow. I don't know how I didn't realize that Lila's other eye may had been Antari eye. Thats a brilliant point. I totally missed it.

I know what you mean. Kell had little bit freedom in last book but after reviving Rhy he was forced to carry a very frightening responsibility. Rhy's life depends on Kell and the King and Queen aren't really helping Kell by trying to cage him. Only Rhy is in the palace who deeply cares for his brother and maybe he is the only reason Kell haven't fled yet. I really like Rhy for that.

The reunion of Kell and Lila was the most anticipated thing for me. I would have enjoyed more if Kell had put up a little fight against her.

What do you think about Alucard? I was totally surprised to find that he and Rhy had something between them. I was thinking who will Lila chose between Kell and Alucard and the story went totally in different way.

Yes! (view spoiler)[ Alucard and Rhy together was reallyy interesting haha! I like it.. Also as you said, Alucard's backstory (or at least, getting to know about his actual family) was really interesting (hide spoiler)]

Also - I love Rhy too! I LOVE the brotherly bond Kell and him have and love their witty banter. I've realized Schwab just overall writes dialogue very well

Agree about Schwab. I am liking her writing style and will read some more from her. I find her stories and character are quite unique after reading this series and 'Vicious' book.

Aakash wrote: "Sorry, I quite rushed it and completed it. I had so much free time and this was very interesting story to read and besides my school is gonna resume from tomorrow.

Ending:

[spoilers removed]"

Yes, the ending is quite abrupt. (view spoiler)[ just when we were making theories about Lila being an Antari, and were an inch away from finding out the truth, it ends haha. But that means the next book may be promising. Red London in danger. Sounds interesting.
I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as you, Aakash. The Elemental Games were the best part, I suppose. I couldn't put the book down. But then Kell and Lila fall out and Essen Tacsh is kinda left in the background.
I noticed about 68-70% of the book was dull and boring for me. Nothing happened! Essen Tasch is at 70% or so.
I finally figured out why I dislike Lila. She is such a Mary Sue, you know? Excells at everything she does. Even her "weaknesses" aren't portrayed as bad things necessarily. She's just "different". And powerful. And likeable. Oh my God, EVERYONE seems to like her.
That's just my opinion.
I also don't like how Kell is in this book. He isn't himself at all. Not even for a bit. All the time he's a restless, grumpy, resentful and bitter boy. So much negativity. We only get to see the real him when he grieves for the late Grey London king. (hide spoiler)]

I wanna discuss something interesting as well. In a very clever fashion, Schwab makes us think that the Essen Tasch is the main plot. Which is kinda true- it does cover most of the plot, but it's not the most important part, is it? Nor is what's going on between Kell and the royal family. No, the important part was (view spoiler)[ the transformation of Grey London. Schwab cleverly diverts our attention to Essen Tasch, so she can hit the blow of danger to Red London right. Remember, Ojka captures Kell right after he fights with the king?
The royal family needs to learn to stay united , they are now up against White London.
(hide spoiler)]

Speaking of, I'm conflicted about that. White London (view spoiler)[ had to transform sometime, maybe, but why the Black Stone - now a statue actaully - again? It's like borrowing some part of the plot from book 1. First Kell was overpowered by the black stone, and now Holland, but with a bigger size.
(hide spoiler)]

But overall I didn't enjoy the book much, as I said it was very dull and uneventful till like 70% where the plot really appeared. For me Essen Tasch was the most exciting thing. But the ending makes for a promising plot for the next book, so I'm interested to check it out.

Thanks for doing this buddy read with me, Aakash! I know I'm a dreadfully slow reader 😂 and classes and projects don't help much

Anyway, are you ready for 1984? :p

Oh. I just hope you will find the sequel better than this book. I understand and totally respect your opinion. I agree that nothing major was happening throughout the whole book but I still enjoyed it.

I agree the Royal family have to remain united to save their home but if the King and Queen weren't so selfish the problem wouldn't even have arisen. You have a point about the main plot. I still don't understand how Ojka was promoted to Antari. Is this 'Shadow' guy magic itself or just a lower deity? I would like to see more of Grey London( because it is our world. I think). In both the books we have only got glimpses of Grey London.

I know you didn't like the book but are you going to continue the series?

I haven't started 1984 yet, thought I would start with you. I can start it now. I am kinda going with low expectations for this book, my experiences with Classics aren't so great.

Oh, yes! I'm gonna continue. Like I said, it's foreshadowing (view spoiler)[ that Red London will be in danger now. Well, bigger than the last one. (hide spoiler)] It's going to be intense

I'm sure you'll like 1984! You haven't read the author's other works right? I loved his Animal Farm, and this is even more popular. It's dystopian, kinda disturbing, and he has social commentary in his books. All of these combined make an amazing experience.

You can start whenever. I'll start today may be, but may share my thoughts tomorrow or till Monday. I'm really exicted for this as I loved this author's other work

See you there ^_^