You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

I suggest starting around May 15th. Is this ok with everyone?

Looks good for me also.

I'm in!

I am going to start this today.

I now have my copy. Will start tonight

I started last night but I only got as far as chapter 3 before I fell asleep. This is just the kind of book I need right now - light fantasy - although come to think of it some of the past books went to some dark places!

It is great to be back at the Jumble but I have a bad feeling about (view spoiler)[ trickster night! (hide spoiler)]

I am a few chapters in as well.
So it takes place a few months about the last one, Just enough to be more settle in. and it shows right away.

When I read the blurb, my first thoughts were, why on earth would trickster night exist in that kind of world. I mean it a great way to kill yourself? But thinking a bit more about it, it makes sense, with so much unknown in the wild that such a custom exist.

chapter 3
who are (view spoiler)[them? our bad guys of the book or is this a reference to someone we know and I forgot??? human or other?? (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "It is great to be back at the Jumble but I have a bad feeling about."
come on.. what could go wrong???

oh,, yeah,, right... a lot of stuff.
But i am thinking (view spoiler)[that a main character could not die this early in the book right? it will have to be a random stranger. (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "Margo wrote: "It is great to be back at the Jumble but I have a bad feeling about."
come on.. what could go wrong???

oh,, yeah,, right... a lot of stuff.
But i am thinking [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ no, not the main character but maybe one of the crowguard? Or someone from the town? (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "chapter 3
who are [spoilers removed]"

I don't know either, I honestly thought I'd missed something I was so sleepy. I must listen to that chapter again

I finished Chapter 2- I always feel that this is the hardest part of these book. With the constant recap of events of the last book(s). I am sure that I will get interested soon enough...

I finished Chapter 5- eeeks... (view spoiler)[ I don't care for this. Basically, we have some boys that looked at Vicki wrong. This definitely isn't Lakeside and I would never want to be around any of them. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not finding much time to read at the moment but I've made it to the end ot chapter 16 so here is a general recap of my thoughts

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Meg is still doing her thing in the Coutyard and it looks like the elders are still doing their thing in the woods! Not sure those boys deserved what they probably got but.....there is a thing in many plays that when someone "dies" offstage they often turn up later in the play completely find.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ Crowbones finally makes their appearance and it's a bit underwhelming- the crowguard are terrified though.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7 and 8 (view spoiler)[ Ilia (that should probably have a few more letters!) and the sheriff make some grisly finds at what is presumably the monsters nest. An arm and a "round hard thing", hmm, wonder what that could be :-/
The academic seem pretty callous- I wonder if he is part of the "them" that got their own chapter earlier
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Okay, this seems to be a meeting between Crowbones and an unknown. He refers to having "eluded my keepers" so maybe an inmate of a prison or mental hospital? They don't seem to evil so maybe they're trying to protect town. Was the person they killed out to cause harm?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ the young Vampires come to visit the jumble. They are definitely up to something and it's not good. What 8s their story?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[ there's a nasty mess waiting for the sheriff when he gets to work! It used to be a college student. One of the 4 that were intimidating vicky and fled into the night? Is it the owner of the head and arm?
Fog proves useful for keeping prying eyes away!
(hide spoiler)]

Christina wrote: "I finished Chapter 5- eeeks... [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, a bit harsh!

about chapter 5
(view spoiler)[Totally gruesome and they probably still would be alive if they had done this to any human other than Vicki. Meg and Vicki are probably the most protected human on that world.
We also have to keep in mine that while Vicki runs the Jumble this is totally Others' territory. (hide spoiler)]

Also, chapter 4 made me wish that(view spoiler)[we could have an elemental or 2 regulating traffic around here. (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "."

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[the Crows were terrified indeed. We already knew that some other were scared of other. It seems that they have their folklore and fear as well. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 7 and 8 (view spoiler)[we could change "curiosity kills the cat" by curiosity kills the academics," Still unsure who "them" are.

Also, I am reading the book and you were close. It is spelled Ilya, (hide spoiler)]

chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Why the bleach???? I have a feeling it is going to be important. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 This one confused me. Margo (view spoiler)[you mentioned inmate. I was thinking maybe a male "cassandra sangre". (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[I am wondering the same teenage vampire. This can only lead into trouble. (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "
Chapter 12 This one confused me. Margo [spoilers removed]

"

Ooh, that's an interesting idea.

re: chapter 4 elementals (view spoiler)[ regulating traffic control. I agree in principal but I think some of their solutions might be a tad extreme ......... just thinking out loud LOL (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25(view spoiler)[ So "them" could be Others AND human? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[So we know now one of "them: Ellen, one of the new resident. Now who is he rival? He must be human. one of the academics? one of Vicky guest? And who/what are her "lovelies? (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Esther wrote: "

re: chapter 4 elementals [spoilers removed]"

I know. But I have no pity for crazy impatient drivers. :)

chapter 41 ¸(view spoiler)[I am still confused by "Them", So Roach is one? is it Ellen's rival? And tht drug again. Will it ever disappear? I should be fairly rare by now. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to chapter . It's taking me forever to read this story because every time I start to listen I fall asleep!

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ Yuck!!! We have a gruesome serial killer on our hands. The victims are both other and human. Is it Crowbones?
Loved the little Ilya (thanks Esther!) in his clock! Natasha will be so good for Ilya :-)
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ Finding the "unassigned" chapters very confusing. It seems like the MC of the chapter is under trawl to someone and snaps back to himself for brief periods. It could be anyone.
It seems that the elementals are aware of what Crowbones is doing and are going to help.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30 (view spoiler)[ So, Clara Crowgard is "the fallen".
"them", or one of "them", is the loud woman from the town who did all the complaining! That was a surprise. But the witnesses all reported two men talking with the crow - who are they?
(hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "Chapter 25[spoilers removed]

Chapter 29 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I suspect the two vampire wards that turned up unexplained as "her lovelies. Could the rival be Michael, the auther? There is some history between him and Julian that is unclear but obviously they aren't friends. But, as you say, it could equally be one of the academic - they are alwalys and untrustworthy bunch who'd do anything to get published lol (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "

The unassigned chapters are confusing. And I think it is on purpose to keep us as confused as the characters.

Margo wrote: "Esther wrote: "Chapter 25[spoilers removed]

Chapter 29 [spoilers removed]"
"
(view spoiler)[I sensed more Julian and Michael being uncomfortable than "not friend". I took it as people that grew up around each other but totally lost track." (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 46: ah ah!!!! (view spoiler)[Kira and Victor are mysteries. As you said earlier Margo, are they part of "them"? Or is it something totally unrelated.
Nicolai: escaped for his escort. Was he the subject of chapter 12? the one who escaped hos captors? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 49(view spoiler)[We felt the presence of the Elder in the 1st Jumble books but in this one they are totally meddling. (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "Chapter 46: ah ah!!!!
.."

Chapter 49 (view spoiler)[ I don't think kira and victor are out to do harm - leaving the vamp thing aside that is LOL On the other hand they could be the loud womans creatures but I think it was mentioned that there are 5 of them. Interesting about Nicolai - you could be right Esther.

The five are a scary bunch. Vicki was very brave to deal with them but it seems strange that Julian would ask it of her. Things didn't quite go as planned and anyone could have been caught up in it.

I was very surprised that it was Jana who snitched to the prof.

(hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Esther wrote: "Chapter 46: ah ah!!!!
.."

Chapter 49 .."

(view spoiler)[the 5 are definitely elders. My guess is way up in the food chain. I was surprised by Julian request as well. Then again, Vicki is the reader and he knows that she would be acceptable for the 5. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 51 (view spoiler)[People are dying all over the place. I wonder if one of the main characters will die. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 52 (view spoiler)[Finally more info to come on Julian. I wonder if it is that he finally trust Grimshaw enough or if he really think there is a fair chance he will die soonish. Probably both. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 54 (view spoiler)[Hello Stravos. it's been a while... Fun to have visitor from the main series. Love the way he puts it "the Sanguinati you deal with are tamer". Yikes.
it just occur to me that the refer to Grandfather Erebus in front of the human without explaining. Is he so well known? (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "chapter 51 [spoilers removed]

chapter 52 [spoilers removed]

..."

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, Julian is definitely ensuring that his secrets won't die with him! I agree that we're likely to lose a character but I don't think it will be him.

I didn't remember Stavros - don't remember many of the side characters from the early books. Now Ilyas comment about Crowbones not being the only hunter to fear tonight make sense.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 59 (view spoiler)[ I thought this was going to be one of my pet hates- a pet being killed to wring tears out of readers (PET hates - get it?)

Why is the death of a fictional cat so much more upsetting to me than that of a fictional human/other? If the mayor had died I would have just said to myself "oh well, he deserved it" (something I'd never think in RL) but the pets are always innocent. Anyway, it turned out not to be the cat so all of my outrage was wasted ;-p
(hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: "
chapter 54 ..."

(view spoiler)[ Maybe Grandfather Erebus is a bit of a celeb - you know, like from the "10 most scary beings" list :-D
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 64 (view spoiler)[ Gods above and below but the bodies are piling up! It's getting very confusing. The men seem to know something that they're not sharing with Vicki - or me :-/

Why was Fog cross with Julian.
(hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Esther wrote: "chapter 51 [spoilers removed]

chapter 52 [spoilers removed]
(view spoiler)[Stravos was in the Totland courtyard and relocation when the town was shutdown. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 59 (view spoiler)[i feel the same. Probably because the pet is an innocent bystander. It really does not deserve it. (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Chapter 64 .."

(view spoiler)[i think they are not sharing the details. She did ask to not know the state of the bodies. I also think some things Ilya is sharing could be classified as "need to know". Vicki, while stuck in the middle of it is not an investigator. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 69
(view spoiler)[Finally Them are starting to make sense. Did not see it coming. Should have. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 69 to 73 (view spoiler)[ it seems we have two being beings to be scared of, crowbones, scary but not bad, and the other one who is evil criminal and probably human. Now just need to figure out which characters are associated with which one!

The being who was following the criminal doesn't like to be seen - is he disfigured? Did he ring Karl? Did he set the explosion?

It's starting to look like Kira is on the dark side, what other explanation could there be for he calls for help being used to lure Karl towards the explosion? Who was the Vampire that died? Which Crow died?
(hide spoiler)]

I really want to finish this tonight but I've got cinema tickets- when life interferes with reading *grrrr*

Margo wrote: "Chapter 69 to 73 ."
(view spoiler)[It does seems there is 2 or 3 different parties of scaries,

The being that does not lie to be seen fits with my theory of Nicolai.

Kira: either she is with the bad crowd or someone recorded her. I am on the fence. on this one. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 76
(view spoiler)[Well, A call from Meg. that was unexpected. And Meg is still cutting herself now and then it seems. Unfortunately, this message will keep her from talking to the people she should trust. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 83 (view spoiler)[well, it all comes out finally. Vicktor is in the "bad crowd", if he is I guess Kira is as well, so her absence does not bode well. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 84 (view spoiler)[That darn special juice. (hide spoiler)]

up to the end..
(view spoiler)[Seriously, why on her would Vicky just leave like this. It was obviously a possible trap. I mean get the bear to go with you at the very least.
This being said, I am not sure Vicky live live down her babbling while on drugs. :)
Kira: that was inexpertly decisive.
Ellen: well, she is good and almost got away with it. It was not expecting this end for her. Grimshaw did not really have a choice I guess but I think its going to haunt him for a while.
(hide spoiler)]

Finally finished! I didn't think the plot was as good as it could have been and in places I found it confusing (that being said, I am easily confused at the moment). I ofter get a bit confused in fantasy stories that use long and unfamiliar names for characters and locations but usually I feel it is my understanding that is lacking, in this instance I really think it was down to the storytelling. On the other hand, it was a very enjoyable listen as the narration was excellent. I give the narrator 5 stars, the story 3.

The ending: (view spoiler)[ I agree with you Esther about Vickis stupidity. It was one one of those that I just was to smack the MC and yell COP YOURSELF ON!!!
And boy was I wrong Kira! I'm sure Ilya had no qualms unlike poor Grimshaw. We humans suffer from overdeveloped consciences. The others work together to protect the pack while we play mind games with each other. Ellen needed to be killed but my brain still says that was the wrong way to do it. I know that she'd have been in her element in prison but couldn't they have kept her in solitary confinement? I believe that this time Grimshaw was right but police corruption is a slippery slop.

I enjoyed the note from Simon and yes, I agree that a parcel of books is better than any other apology 😉

(hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Finally finished! I didn't think the plot was as good as it could have been and in places I found it confusing (that being said, I am easily confused at the moment). I often get a bit confused in f..."

I alternated between the audio and the book. it was mostly book. And I agree, it was confusing. And it was written to be so. This was deliberate. I understand that she wanted to keep the "them" incognito. But i think it was overdone.

Yes, I've seen it done better but the world she's created is so immersive that I forgive her a lot 😉

Margo wrote: "Yes, I've seen it done better but the world she's created is so immersive that I forgive her a lot 😉"

it's is what I called candy read. They are quick and fun but they still adress real life issue in a round about way.

Never came across term before but yes, the series does touch on the idea that we humans think we "own" the earth and yet we seem intent on destroying it!

Christina, have you stopped reading?

Margo wrote: "Never came across term before"

this is because I cannot type. It was supposed to be "candy read".

Haha - now that I understand!

Sorry guys, I did finish the book. I had the same issues with this one as Silence Lake. I just flatly dislike Victoria and I really dislike her thoughts. On top of her being just old fashioned woman stupid. (You know, how woman were portrayed as lacking in common sense and the ability to take care of ourselves on a basic level).

The only things that made this book worth reading: Meg, Simon, Starvos, and Nicolai. I really did like how Nicolai was revealed in the story, but I agree that the "them" was over done.

I know what you mean Christina. I'm not entirely comfortable with the way some of the female characters are drawn either but there are some strong ones. Can't think of her name but the tattooed woman at the guess house takes no prisoners and neither does Natasha.

Meg and Vicky basically seen to me to be the same character! A woman so badly damaged by men that she has no confidence left. Meg is more plausible as she grew up in such a strange environment.