Challenge Corner discussion

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

Ch 1-6: (view spoiler)[So they have a purely academic test to get into the best military academy in the country, but once you’re there you need martial arts to succeed? But they don’t test for martial arts at all, or any type of physical ability? This was very poorly thought out.

Also how did no one even tell Rin about painkiller before she went straight for the hysterectomy? Surely they have some kind of medicine that’s at least worth a try. (hide spoiler)]

I am so excited for this!! I have my copy with me. I just need to finish a few BRs from last month and then I'll be free to read this one.

I'm definitely going to be behind on this 😬

Aly wrote: "I'm definitely going to be behind on this 😬"

lmao.. it's only the first day of march

I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh

Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

OH. Lol. I surprisingly got caught up in all of those. It's a super weird feeling not being behind on BRs right now.

I can't even imagine what that's like LOL

Aly wrote: "I can't even imagine what that's like LOL"

It's very strange.. I don't recommend it

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

OH. Lol. I surprisingly got caught up in all of those. It's a super weird feeling not being behind on BRs right now."

I envy you.

Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

I have ten of those. help.

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

OH. Lol. I surprisingly got caught up in all of those. It's a super weird feeling not being behind on BRs right ..."

Lol. Don't.

Kelly wrote: "Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

I have ten of those. help."

Read girl!

Kelly, I'm for real going to start today!

No she isn't. Don't believe her.

Alaina wrote: "No she isn't. Don't believe her."

I have the audiobook so yes I will LOL

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "No she isn't. Don't believe her."

I have the audiobook so yes I will LOL"

She's lying

Lol well now I guess Aly has no other choice but to prove she's not a liar ^^ I listened to ten minutes of that audio, I need to keep going.

hahahaha

Alaina wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

I have ten of those. help."

Read girl!"

I am reading! I just plan too many brs that's my problem

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Aly wrote: "I know! I have to finish February buddy reads still ugh"

I have ten of those. help."

Read girl!"

I am reading! I just plan too many brs that's my problem"

Come sprint with me!

Starting book one now!

3%: (view spoiler)[UH...a 12 hour test?!? Yeah, don't sign me up for that. (hide spoiler)]

15%: (view spoiler)[Can someone punch this douche in the face? I will gladly volunteer (hide spoiler)]

23%: (view spoiler)[I can't wait for all these assholes to realize they underestimated my little fake Mulan. Go kick so honeybuns girl.

Also carrying a pig doesn't sound like fun. (hide spoiler)]

35%: (view spoiler)[Meditating does seem like a good time to nap. Just saying. Also I'm not so sure about the whole phoenix thing right now.. (hide spoiler)]

I have the ebook of this so maybe I'll try to read a little of it every day so I'm not so behind

Aly wrote: "I have the ebook of this so maybe I'll try to read a little of it every day so I'm not so behind"

Do it! I got the audio from my library.

Alaina wrote: "
3%: [spoilers removed]"

ahah yeah I wouldn't want to take it either

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "
3%: [spoilers removed]"

ahah yeah I wouldn't want to take it either"

Are you using that gif to tell me you're not loving this book?

Kelly wrote: "Are you using that gif to tell me you're not loving this book?"

LOL no that was matching with my first comment

Alaina wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Are you using that gif to tell me you're not loving this book?"

LOL no that was matching with my first comment"

Oh good, we can still be friends.

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Are you using that gif to tell me you're not loving this book?"

LOL no that was matching with my first comment"

Oh good, we can still be friends."

HAHAHA I'm glad that's a requirement for you

46%: (view spoiler)[Wait a hot minute.. he's alive? I thought he died. Wasn't he on the boat?!? AM I CONFUSING HIM WITH SOMEONE ELSE RIGHT NOW?! What day is it? (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "46%: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ oh no no no don't get confused! I'm not sure which passage you're at so I can't help you right now ^^ (hide spoiler)]

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "46%: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

UHHHHHHHHHHH (view spoiler)[HER HERO IS GOING TO HELP HER (hide spoiler)]

62%: (view spoiler)[Hmm.. oddly suspicious but I will accept him showing up. (hide spoiler)]

WOW. (view spoiler)[Way too many horror movies have prepared me for that little girl/monster. And nope - run away now. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 7-9: (view spoiler)[Wait, Rin just stayed up there 15 days without eating or drinking? Shouldn’t she be dead? You need water more often than that... (hide spoiler)]

85%: (view spoiler)[Please make good choices girl. (hide spoiler)]

What lol.. I thought I posted my last comment yesterday

100%: (view spoiler)[Well my last comment was epic yesterday but I for some reason it never posted. Oh well. It had a lot of crying emojis and swear words. Trust me.

All I'm going to say now, because I'm super calm and sipping on some coffee, is that so much freaking happened towards the end of this book. It was bonkers. I might go ape shit in the next book because I can't believe a certain someone is now dead. Also, Rin is a fucking badass. I need the next book NOW. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "100%: ..."

(view spoiler)[Oh man I was a mess when he died. I am not looking forward to crying again but I guess I know what to expect so maybe it'll soften the blow... (hide spoiler)]

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "100%: ..."

[spoilers removed]"

I wasn't prepared one freaking bit.

Started and can I say that I love Emily Woo Zeller! She's such a great narrator

Aly wrote: "Started and can I say that I love Emily Woo Zeller! She's such a great narrator"

YAY!