YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Magic doesn't exist in the broken city of Lkossa anymore, especially for girls like sixteen-year-old Koffi. Indentured to the notorious Night Zoo, she cares for its fearsome and magical creatures to pay off her family's debts and secure their eventual freedom. But the night her loved ones' own safety is threatened by the Zoo's cruel master, Koffi unleashes a power she doesn't fully understand--and the consequences are dire.

As the second son of a decorated hero, Ekon is all but destined to become a Son of the Six--an elite warrior--and uphold a family legacy. But on the night of his final rite of passage, a fire upends his plans. In its midst, Ekon not only encounters the Shetani--a vicious monster that has plagued the city and his nightmares for nearly a century--but a curious girl who seems to have the power to ward off the beast. Koffi's power ultimately saves Ekon's life, but his choice to let her flee dooms his hopes of becoming a warrior.

Desperate to redeem himself, Ekon vows to hunt the Shetani down and end its reign of terror, but he can't do it alone. Meanwhile, Koffi believes finding the Shetani and selling it for a profit could be the key to solving her own problems. Koffi and Ekon--each keeping their true motives secret from the other--form a tentative alliance and enter into the unknowns of the Greater Jungle, a world steeped in wild magic and untold dangers. The hunt begins. But it quickly becomes unclear whether they are the hunters or the hunted.

In this much-anticipated series opener, fate binds two Black teenagers together as they strike a dangerous alliance to hunt down the ancient creature menacing their home--and discover much more than they bargained for.

ch 6 (view spoiler)[okay so three main characters: Koffi, Ekon and Adiah. I definitely thought Ekon was much older than Koffi she seemed so young? I thought she was like 12 but maybe she’s more of a teenager? I definitely thought Adiah was more teenage and Ekon could definitely be in his 20s. Ekon might have OCD but I’m not sure? Definitely has anxiety. The beginning here was a lot of world building and too many snakes 😩. I’m curious to see what Koffi will do in the jungle (hide spoiler)]

ch 11 (view spoiler)[ I’m totally sucked into this! I’m really enjoying the characters and the world building. I wish we got more from Adiah. She’s such a mystery compared to the other two. I can’t help but think the darajas will be important later on (hide spoiler)]

Part 2/ch. 19 (view spoiler)[ Ah the jungle has been quite terrifying so far!! That grootslung or whatever was AWFUL. no more thanks please!! Can't wait to see how this ends (hide spoiler)]

Part 3/83% (view spoiler)[ What the fuck Ekon!? Come on. Why did you have to betray them like that!? I wish he told Koffi earlier about the sons of six. I hope he makes it up to Adiah and Koffi by the end. All these revelations about Adiah/the shentani have been incredible!! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ What an ending!! I can't believe Brother Ugo was actually Fedu the whole time (hide spoiler)]

I don't think I'm going to be able to squeeze this into this month anymore :( Has anyone started it yet? If not, do you want to reset the start date for November?

Dannii wrote: "I don't think I'm going to be able to squeeze this into this month anymore :( Has anyone started it yet? If not, do you want to reset the start date for November?"

I haven't started it so I'm good with a date in November!

Krystal wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I don't think I'm going to be able to squeeze this into this month anymore :( Has anyone started it yet? If not, do you want to reset the start date for November?"

I haven't started..."

Awesome! How would the 7th work for you?

Dannii wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I don't think I'm going to be able to squeeze this into this month anymore :( Has anyone started it yet? If not, do you want to reset the start date for November?"

I..."

Perfect!

Oeh I'll join in on that one! :)

Danique wrote: "Oeh I'll join in on that one! :)"

Yay! I'll request the date change :)

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Date changed. Restarting November 7th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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Started and a few chapters in. I really (view spoiler)[ like the idea of this book so far. The magic seems to have disappeared but the girl has something. Looking forward to reading more. (hide spoiler)]

Krystal wrote: "Started and a few chapters in. I really [spoilers removed]"

I'm loving this so far, too. I'm 10% in and (view spoiler)[The Night Zoo is proving interesting to explore, as is Ekon's perspective. I'm looking forward to seeing Koffi and Ekon interact, understanding the magic of the forest, and learning more about the murderous beast that dwells there. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Started and a few chapters in. I really [spoilers removed]"

I'm loving this so far, too. I'm 10% in and [spoilers removed]"

I really wonder if (view spoiler)[ The beast is the girl from the beginning that sucked up that magic. Maybe it turned her into the beast. (hide spoiler)]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm already loving this. Koffi's life in the Night Zoo is a horrendous one. The reader was first introduced to her grieving for the dead slave and it made me both empathise with her, understand the hardships her people have to deal with, and made me curious about the world she inhabits.

I knew her freedom would not be garnered so easily but it still hurt to read the six months of debt that was added to Koffi and her mother. Her mother took the whipping and punishment in place of her daughter, which made these chapters extra harrowing to read.

Ekon's perspective was just as interesting and he gave an insight to a different place and spot in the world's social hierarchy. He seems more sensitive and kind than his brother and has already shown some affinity for magic, as he could hear the forest speaking to him.

(hide spoiler)]

I’ve only read the prologue but I can tell I’m going to enjoy this! I love the prose.

15%
(view spoiler)[I like the small bits we’re getting about Adiah. Excited to get to know her more and see exactly how she fits in with our MCs. (hide spoiler)]

I still haven't started this aah!!

I am
Sooooo behind with this one.

Krystal wrote: "I am
Sooooo behind with this one."

Glad I'm not the only one XD

23%
(view spoiler)[How can someone count all the way to 75,621…I’d lose count wayyyy before that LOL (hide spoiler)]

I got up to 46% on my flight! Here are my notes lol

28%
(view spoiler)[It’s terrible she’s now thirty-five years in debt. I’m wondering if she’ll also go after the beast, in attempt to get enough money to pay off the debt (or a sizable portion of it). (hide spoiler)]

30%
(view spoiler)[Only one week to find this creature and get it back to the zoo?! (hide spoiler)]

33%
(view spoiler)[The word “thusly” has been used twice already in this book and I love it. I can’t believe I’d never seen that word before. (hide spoiler)]

38%
(view spoiler)[So, our heroes have formerly met and struck a deal with each other! I wonder how it’ll play out once they find the Shetani and realize they have different goals for it… (hide spoiler)]

42%
(view spoiler)[NOOOO she’s been caught!! (hide spoiler)]

I hope you two enjoy it when you get to it! I love it so far.

48%
(view spoiler)[Ugh nooo, of course they lost their supplies!! (hide spoiler)]

54%
(view spoiler)[Aww, sounds like someone has a crush (hide spoiler)]

65%
(view spoiler)[I can’t believe this is a standalone! It seems a bit late in the book for the MC to have just discovered she’s magical and to ask to be mentored. (hide spoiler)]

68%
(view spoiler)[I enjoyed reading about the Shetani’s origin story. Now we know how Adiah plays into this story! I hope Koffi and Ekon can find a way to save Adiah and themselves. (hide spoiler)]

81%
(view spoiler)[Ugh, Kamau is such a jerk. (hide spoiler)]

83%
(view spoiler)[EKON WHYYY (hide spoiler)]

Done
(view spoiler)[Okay, wait…this has to have a sequel haha (hide spoiler)]

I've been in such a slump and have read almost nothing. I think I'm getting over it though and am hoping to pick this one back up over the weekend :)

Sorry to hear that, slumps are the worst! No pressure.

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Sorry to hear that, slumps are the worst! No pressure."

Thanks, Akacya :)

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Date changed. Restarting October 7th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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Will hopefully start soon!! It'll take me a while to get through though because it's biiiiig

No worries! I should be starting it tonight on audio!

I'm 16% done in chapter 5 somewhere, and it's okay so far. I appreciate having 2 narrators, helps differentiate the chapters. (view spoiler)[ The night zoo is interesting. Happy they are trying to save the animals after everything starts to burn. Looking forward to seeing the MCs interact, should be happening soon (hide spoiler)]

Yay great! I’m like 6 chapters in, I’ll post an update tomorrow! :)

Ch 5
Don’t remember what this book is about, can’t wait. It’s crazy big tho. (view spoiler)[I'm guessing Aidah turned into whatever beast they’ll have to hunt, don’t like Dakari immediately idk😂 The Night Zoo is so cool!! Already loving that, although it sucks that they’re basically slaves there.
That merchant’s wife sucked so much omg I kinda wanted the lizard to eat her bye. Ekon seems to have OCD with his constant counting. Aidah is for sure the monster that's now killing people, I'm sure of it. (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "Ch 5
Don’t remember what this book is about, can’t wait. It’s crazy big tho. "
It's not that big :p
(view spoiler)[ Yeah it does seem like she became that Beast to me too.
Agree I would've appreciated the wife getting eaten (hide spoiler)]

38% start of chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ The MCs have finally officially met and a bargain has been made although it isn't one that both sides can keep if they want to serve their purposes.
Another case where the mother didn't tell her daughter important details. Wonder the reasoning in this case. You'd think telling Koffi about what she is would've been important but I guess her mother assumed she had more time.
Ekon has an interesting perspective and his anxiety ridden OCD tendancies are well done. I am impressed he was able to keep count that long without loosing track. He is a bit of a blame everyone else for his decisions type of person. Its the girl's fault and then the Shetani's that he let her go and lost his place as a warrior. But it couldn't be that he is at all responsible for his own decisions...

So far, still intrigued by the book. Looking forward to it really getting moving now that they are together working towards a goal (hide spoiler)]

Brittany wrote: "Danique wrote: "Ch 5
Don’t remember what this book is about, can’t wait. It’s crazy big tho. "
It's not that big :p
[spoilers removed]..."

My copy is 480 pages haha, that’s big to me 😜 it will take me a while though because I don’t have a lot of time to read :/

I'm in such a slump :/ I'll hopefully pick this up again soon!

I finished it. Good book, I called most of the twists and found nothing super surprising but I am interested in where book 2 is going to take things.
(view spoiler)[ That Ekon's mentor was really the God wanting to take Adiah was good if not shocking. Poor Ekon though being used his whole life and having no idea.
I did hope that Adiah would still be alive after Koffi took her place to be taken by Fedu (sp?). I found her such a fascinating character I'd like more of her and seeing her learn about the current world. (hide spoiler)]

Finished this a few days ago!

Part 2
(view spoiler)[Omg Koffi has fire magic or something? So cool. Her mother is definitely dead tho :( I’m already sick of Ekon, his counting behavior annoys me quite a bit. I do feel bad for him & his brother though now he isn’t a part of the Six. The old lady is definitely mysterious, I’m 10000% sure she’s the same person as Ekon saw in the street. She definitely has magic. Also, could the Rupture have been created by Aidah as well? Still sure she’s the beast.

Elon’s mother left? Odds on her having had magic too lol. Loved Brother Ugo and his jokes and words. I really like Kamau, I don’t like Ekon at all so far - he’s so childish in blaming everyone else for his actions??? He’s the one who made these decisions, not the Shetani, not Koffi nor anyone else. Do like Koffi a lot though, prefer her chapters for sure. Her mother is still alive?? Didn’t expect that. Love Jabir as well, hope we’ll see more of him, shipping him and Koffi way more than her and Ekon for SURE. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[Adiah kinda sounds like a petulant child, when someone tells her not to use too much magic she does it anyway and it’s kinda annoying. This book might be a bit too YA for me 🤣 Tao seems cool though and is clearly into her. It’s so odd that Ekon knows how to fight because it somehow doesn’t fit with the insanely immature idea I have of him. I’m glad they’re finally working together though, and the jungle is truly quite cool so far! The spiders though brrrr. Ekon was insanely stupid to just follow the spider (who literally said that they’re king of tricks) ugh. He annoys me so much. Grootslangs sounds really Dutch so that’s cool. So stupid that they just ate random fruit they don’t know, Koffi should really freaking think more often tbh (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[I really don’t like Adiah and I’m honestly getting sick of her chapters, I want to stay with Koffi and Ekon, especially after the cliffhanger ugh, she sucks. Such a child. Still don’t trust Dakari for some reason. Ekon suddenly got over his trauma in 5 seconds? Okay then -.- At least we finally know where his counting came from. Kinda love the fact that the tree is poisonous when it doesn’t give fruit with consent lol.

The ancestor thing was really cool, and cool that that old woman is a goddess! Well surprise, Adiah is the beast. Obviously lmao that was so obvious 😂😭 And Fedu is obviously Dakari, no doubt about it. Not really surprised by anything so far but I like the idea of it mostly! Obviously Satao is Tao lol. Really starting to like Ekon more now by the way, he doesn’t annoy me like he did in the beginning! Adiah is still mighty annoying and stupid tho lol, poor Tao :( sad that they never got together :(

Adiah is back!! The jungle is still so cool man. And they kissed aw!! Like Kamau a little less now that he’s making Ekon doubt everything -.-

Definitely hate Ekon right now dammit!!! Also, I’m kinda sure that Kamau is now Fedu tbh, his behavior is too odd not to be him. He wants Koffi now too to do something like he did to Adiah? (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Omg the warriors have nightmares?? They’re definitely murdering those people under influence then damn, that means Kamau isn’t Febu and maybe that father is?

Holy shot it’s Ugo?!? FUCK I liked him so much noooo can’t believe he’s Fedu😭😭 wait what Adiah is just dead now?? Wtf?!? the ending really surprised me; I didn’t expect Ugo to be Fedu, it was clear that Dakari was, but not him. Omg I’m now realizing that Ugo giving Ekon his father’s dagger gets a whole new meaning now since he was actually the one who killed him… Wasn’t surprised by the old woman being dajara too, not at all, but cool that she’s Kofi’s grandmother tho! Kinda hate that Koffi just took Adiah’s place, especially because she just died - didn’t expect that. Liked it overall! (hide spoiler)]

Brittany wrote: "38% start of chapter 12 The MCs have finally officially met and a bargain has been made although it isn't one that both sides can keep if they want to serve their purposes.
Another case where the ..."

(view spoiler)[I felt the same way, it's like he blames everyone for his actions but himself. I do think he grew up quite a bit throughout the book and started to behave better. (hide spoiler)]