Challenge Corner discussion

Everlost, the limbo land of dead children, is at war. Nick the “Chocolate Ogre” wants to help the children of Everlost reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Mary Hightower, self-proclaimed queen of lost children and dangerous fanatic, is determined to keep Everlost’s children trapped within its limbo for all eternity. Traveling in the memory of the Hindenburg, Mary is spreading her propaganda and attracting Afterlights to her cause at a frightening speed.

Meanwhile, Allie the Outcast travels home to seek out her parents, along with Mikey, who was once the terrifying monster the McGill. Allie is tempted by the seductive thrill of skinjacking the living, until she discovers the shocking truth about skinjackers.

I started this morning before work and got to page 60! Flying through! I'm so glad we decided to continue on directly with the series because it is super helpful having the events of Book 1 fresh in my brain.

So far, I am enjoying the direction it is going and we are already learning more about the world and meeting some fun new characters.

(view spoiler)[The mention of the Challenger disaster hit me in the feels. I remember so clearly that happening. I was in school that day and we were watching it on television in my classroom. School was closed at half day and every sent home. It was a huge thing. Scary as a kid because you didn't really know what was happening. I like that the shuttle lives on in Everlost. That's a nice thought. (hide spoiler)]

Can’t wait to start it!! I’ll be reading as soon as I get off work!

Haley wrote: "Can’t wait to start it!! I’ll be reading as soon as I get off work!"I'm glad we decided to start right away. I can't imagine having read it as they were released. I would have forgotten a lot from Book 1, I feel like.

Chapter 1-6: (view spoiler)[The book jumped right into action and I love it! It is kinda commendable that Mary was able to re-establish her hold so quickly and made Nick into a monster. However I do not feel like this book would deal with her since we already got introduced to "The Ripper". I am curious to learn his/her story. Her ecto-ripping skills are marvelous but dangerous as hell. I am enjoying Nick and Johnnie-O's friendship and hoping that they reunite with Allie sometime soon. It was sad that she didn't get to meet her family even after traveling so far (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "Can’t wait to start it!! I’ll be reading as soon as I get off work!"I'm glad we decided to start right away. I can't imagine having read it as they were released. I would have forgott..."

oh gosh I agree!! It jumps right in from the previous one without holding back

Kira wrote: "Chapter 1-6: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ loving the action so far!! Nick the chocolate ogre holds true, only I wasn't anticipating his insides to be chocolate as well?? I'm hoping that won't come to affect him poorly in the future.

"The Ripper" seems like an interesting character so far!! A girl who might have joined the army as a boy?? I'm curious to see the story behind that.

I have a feeling Allie might have to make a choice between Mikey and her previous family... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8-13: (view spoiler)[Milos honestly seems like a very bad influence on Allie. The way he justifies the things he does doesn't sit right with me and I feel like Allie is losing the essence of who she is when she goes out on all those skinjacking lessons with Milos. I also feel really bad for Mikey in all of this, the sense of seclusion he gets is reasonable and Allie is simply not being able to see it. This whole stretch was about Allie so I kinda missed Nick and Ripper through it all. I am curious to learn more about Zin and what role she would play in the war against Mary. I also want to see now that Allie and Milos seem to be romantically involved, what it would do to Mikey (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Chapter 1-6: [spoilers removed]"

loving the action so far!! Nick the chocolate ogre holds true, only I wasn't anticipating his insides to be chocolate as well?? I'm hoping that won't..."

I really am liking Nick's parts more than Allie so far!

I made it a few pages into Chapter 9 this morning.

(view spoiler)[I'm intrigued by Milos in Allie's sections. It's clear Mikey is a little burnt by his presence, but I feel like Allie is pretty attached to Mikey, even if he doesn't realize it yet.

I also am intrigued by Zin, the Ripper. She could add an interesting element to the entire story, particularly consider the powers she has to rip things from the living world. That could definitely come in handy if they end up having a showdown with Mary! (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 11, to page 148: (view spoiler)[ I don't like this Milos guy at all. I don't trust him, nor like the things he and his little gang do to the living. They just seem like punks. It's clear it's making Allie a little uncomfortable too, so hopefully she and Mikey part ways with these guys soon. Otherwise, I fear she's going in a direction she's going to regret. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 18:(view spoiler)[Pugsy Malone! 😄😂 I love that name. Interesting to see Mary making new alliances. It's obvious she sees a showdown ahead. Also I loved how Jackin' Jill appeared! She'sdefinitelya wild card. (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Through Chapter 11, to page 148: [spoilers removed]"

I had the same thoughts throughout these chapters Meg! Milos was bad news since the start, too bad that Allie didn't realise it in time

End of Part 3: (view spoiler)[New alliances are being formed and that is certainly making the things move in an interesting direction. I am amazed by how quickly Milos moves on from girl to the other and I do not believe for a second that he'd be loyal to Mary at all. Jackin Jill is now in the picture too and I am curious to see how she knows about the accidents before they happen - is she causing them herself via skinjacking? (hide spoiler)]

End of Part 4: (view spoiler)[I was so confused when Nick started ordering Zin to "cram" things back into the living world and it was a strange thing for him to do. But now that he has made his intentions clear, everything makes so much more sense. Getting Zin to give back Kudzu though was just a tiny bit harsh imo even though she shouldn't have ever brought him to the Everlost in the first place. I am waiting desperately for Nick and Allie's reunion!<?spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

End of Part 5: (view spoiler)[I knew Jill was doing something awful and the confirmation of the same isn't bringing much joy to me, Mary is so far gone in her delusion she doesn't see the issue in killing all the people to raise her army. The revelation about Allie being alive is possibly the biggest shock in the book so far, in hindsight, I must say the clues were always there right in front of our eyes. I feel bad for the little boy her spirit is stuck in honestly and hope it all gets resolved soon (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[This end was so terrifying! I feel the worst for Nick because he has completely lost himself. Thanks to Mikey for saving him from the vortex but now that he has become a chocolate golem thing(?), I wonder how is he going to survive. Milos is becoming more and more dangerous with every passing day. I could not believe he had no qualms about killing the little boy in order to get to Allie. She has become his captive but I do not doubt for a second that Mikey would go after them and free her, he has a good heart ngl. Mary asking Milos to kill her in order to be back in Everlost was honestly expected, I was sure she isn't gonna be satisfied with being on the other side. Her plan to bring every last soul into the everlost though might be the craziest thing one could come up with (hide spoiler)]

I just made it into Chapter 25, page 280, and can I just say, Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[broke me heart. My dog is my eorld. Nocway I would have listened to Nick and pushed him through. No freaking way. (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "End of Part 3: [spoilers removed]"Yeah, totally! I just finished that section and my heart hurts. No way I would have ever done that. He can frick right off 😝

Kira wrote: "End of Part 3: [spoilers removed]"(view spoiler)[Jackin' Jill is such an interesting character. I like watching the new alliances being made. It just makes the Everlost world feel like it's getting bigger and bigger. Everybody is going to have to choose a side at some point! (hide spoiler)]

To Chapter 35: Oh my freaking word!! The revelations since the last time I updated!!! I can't stop. I need to finish this ASAP!

Finished!!! Wow, this was such a great one as far as building out the world and making me even more invested in this group of characters. That Epilogue. I can't wait to see where it goes from here!

megs_bookrack wrote: "Through Chapter 11, to page 148: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ reading part 2 was difficult, I already knew poor Mikey was going to end up hurt...

Also I want to know more about the other girl who is no longer ski jacking with them... seems like there’s something FISHY going on.

(hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Through Chapter 11, to page 148: [spoilers removed]"

reading part 2 was difficult, I already knew poor Mikey was going to end up hurt...

Also I want to know more about the..."(view spoiler)[I know right!? I feel like Mikey is actually my favorite character. I hate to see him hurt like that, especially because it took a lot for him to be able to let his walls back with Allie and now they'll probably go back up stronger than ever! (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Through Chapter 11, to page 148: [spoilers removed]"

reading part 2 was difficult, I already knew poor Mikey was going to end up hurt...

Also I want to know ..."

most definitely!! (view spoiler)[ to think you find one person to trust and put your life into, to just be left in the dust when another person comes along. my heart aches for him (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "End of Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying how each part is a new perspective! The plot keeps building and building. To think that Milos is just a hopeless romantic looking for someone new to fall in love with, I wonder how his relationship is going to go with Mary. I have a feeling Mary is going to end up still loving Nick no matter their animosity.

Jackin Jill pulling people from the light?? In a way she's just as 'evil' as Milos when it comes to skinjacking. I'm learning towards what you said!! I can see her skinjacking and having them get into accidents from that. (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "End of Part 4: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Honestly Zin "cramming" Kudzu back into the world made me a bit sad. Even though it wasn't right for her to take him in the first place, they had a bond. & poor Kudzu had no idea what was going on.

How is Mary about to end back up into the living world?? I have a feeling that's not going to go over well. NICK AND ALLIE better end up together asap!! I think that's the only way for the chocolate to stop taking over. (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "End of Part 5: [spoilers removed]"

SO MUCH HAPPENING!! (view spoiler)[ The one time I hoped I was wrong (about Jill) of course... Mary has ABSOLUTELY lost her mind!!! Skinjackers are really alive in a coma?? wow I wonder how long Allie has been in a coma for?

Milos is a fool, following what he believes is "love" to do wrong. I wonder when McGill will come into the scene again. I'm really hoping he's going to try and find Allie at some point (at least once he finds out that she's not with Milos). Hopefully Zin is able to "cram" Allie out of that poor little boy's body. (hide spoiler)]

finished

I CAN'T wait to continue this series!!! wow, I'm so ready to see how this story continues... ahhhh

Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "End of Part 4: [spoilers removed]"

Honestly Zin "cramming" Kudzu back into the world made me a bit sad. Even though it wasn't right for her to take him in the first place, they had a..."(view spoiler)[OMG, the scene with Kudzu upset me so much. When Kudzu was confused and scared, that just broke my heart. I could have never, ever, ever, ever in a million billion years done that. My bond with my dog is my whole heart. I'm actually blocking that scene from my brain so I can continue to love this series! LOL (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "finished

I CAN'T wait to continue this series!!! wow, I'm so ready to see how this story continues... ahhhh"Yessss, I gave it 5-stars too. Sooooo, when do you wanna start the next one. LOL

megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "End of Part 4: [spoilers removed]"

Honestly Zin "cramming" Kudzu back into the world made me a bit sad. Even though it wasn't right for her to take him in the first pla..."

10000% agree!! (view spoiler)[ There HAD to of been other ways for Zin to show trust. I'm attempting to block that scene from my head too :)) (hide spoiler)]

I kind of over booked my scheduled this month with buddy reads. Would it be okay to wait until December to start the next one? If not, I understand! I can jump in whenever you start it since I own the book.

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "End of Part 4: [spoilers removed]"

Honestly Zin "cramming" Kudzu back into the world made me a bit sad. Even though it wasn't right for her to tak..."Oh totally, I'm the same. I think you and I alone have two more coming up this month. I'm cool with starting anytime after December 3rd.

Yeah, I was just checking my calendar to see what else I have coming up! ARCs are taking over my month haha

Should we aim for December 7th? if that works for you & Kira?

Haley wrote: "Yeah, I was just checking my calendar to see what else I have coming up! ARCs are taking over my month haha

Should we aim for December 7th? if that works for you & Kira?"
I'm so behind on ARCs right now, it's wild. In a hole I will never dig out from. December 7th is perfect for me. Hopefully it works for Kira as well!

I am perfectly fine with that date, Meg and Haley! I loved this book so much, can't wait to dive into the final one in the series!

Kira wrote: "I am perfectly fine with that date, Meg and Haley! I loved this book so much, can't wait to dive into the final one in the series!"
Yayee, great news! I'll request a thread for December 7th. Looking forward to it! xx