Challenge Corner discussion

While Mary lies in a glass coffin aboard a ghost train heading west, her minions are awaiting her re-awakening by bringing lots of new souls into Everlost to serve her. Meanwhile Jackin’ Jill has met Jix, a fur-jacker—a skin jacker who can take over the bodies of animals, most notably jaguars. Jix serves a Mayan god who collects Everlost coins, and has his own agenda. In the concluding volume of The Skinjacker Trilogy, Neal Shusterman reveals new sides of the characters of Everlost, who are pitted against each other in a battle that may destroy all life on Earth.

Chapters 1 - 6: Damnnnnn, this is shaping up for an epic showdown. (view spoiler)[I love the idea of Mary in the caboose of the ghost train sealed in a glass coffin. She is like an evil queen. I am enjoying the new character Jix. Him and Jill just had an interesting conversation and sparks were definitely popping off. I am ultimately hoping he becomes a new ally for Allie. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7 - 10:(view spoiler)[WTH is a scar wraith!? Is that what that Clarence guy is? Also, I feel so bad for Mikey. Nick sounds like quite the handful now and I hate what has become of him. I hope we can get the old Nick back! (hide spoiler)]

Can’t wait to start this one! Heading back into town tonight to start it :)

Haley wrote: "Can’t wait to start this one! Heading back into town tonight to start it :)"It just drops us off again immediately into it! Shusterman definitely wastes no time!

I got through 4 chapters so far & WOW he sure does kick it off!

(view spoiler)[ scary how Milos just has Mary in a snow white type of coffin... but the fact that he's killing people just to add to the colony... what a terrible human. I'm excited to see how this new character Jax will play a role (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "I got through 4 chapters so far & WOW he sure does kick it off!

[spoilers removed]"(view spoiler)[That coffin is soooo Snow White, isn't it!? But we both know she's far from an innocent maiden. I know I am interested to see how this new character ends up contributing. I hope he is an ally for Allie. Like she needs it right now. (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Chapters 7 - 10:[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[somehow a new creature in every book!! Scar wraith sounds SCARY… & the possibility of dying with one touch?? If only Mary didn’t trick poor nick… I really hope we get the old nick back as well (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Chapters 7 - 10:[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"Right!? So much, I want that. I didn't get a chance to read in this one yesterday, but am hoping to tonight!

I didn't get to read anymore last night, but will work on it today!

Haley wrote: "I didn't get to read anymore last night, but will work on it today!"I didn't either! Monday Night Football took over my night...LOL -- tonight is the night!

part 2 (view spoiler)[ oooo IT'S GETTING GOOD!! ugh I dislike Milos so much, poor Nick is so gullible. When is Allie going to come back into the picture?? & how is Mikey going to escape this cage??

so many questions... what's going to happen!!

Skinjacking an animal comes with a cost. I'm assuming Jill and Jix are going to end up together *hehe* and I like how Neal added some insight into why Jill acts the way she does. (hide spoiler)]

going to read a bit more on my lunch break

Haley wrote: "part 2 oooo IT'S GETTING GOOD!! ugh I dislike Milos so much, poor Nick is so gullible. When is Allie going to come back into the picture?? & how is Mikey going to escape this cage??

so many quest..."I haven't read anymore yet! Hopefully I can catch up with you over the weekend!

part 2 was pretty short! around page 180 I believe, I can't wait to hear what you think about the book!

Haley wrote: "part 2 was pretty short! around page 180 I believe, I can't wait to hear what you think about the book!"Eeeek! I'm so excited to get further into it. This time of year is crazy. All I want to do is read and don't have time too -- LOL

To Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[Thank goodness the scar wraith is gone without touching either of them, but now Nick is on his own and poor Mikey is trapped! Getting Nick's perspective was so sad! He's so sweet and innocent. I love him. 🥺 (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"


(view spoiler)[ nick is an angel!! the scar wraith is a scary concept for any of the afterlights. to think one touch and you can disappear?? (hide spoiler)]

forgot to post after part 3 :((

just finished part 4 now (view spoiler)[ ahhhh so much is happening!!

I find it interesting how at the start of each chapter we have a snippet of Johnny's point of view and what's happening. I can't say I care too much for that small bit, but I find it funny.

Mary is awake!!!& of course causing chaos. THANK GOODNESS Allie was able to stop that big collapse at the playground. Milos is TERRIBLE!!! I know he's just doing this for Mary, but man he has absolutely no care in the world of what's right or wrong.

Nick has finally started to remember himself :') MIKEY AND ALLIE's relationship makes my heart swoon, they are so stinking cute together.

what else what else? oh Jill and Jix, I really thought Jix was going to head to the center of the earth for a bit. (hide spoiler)]

attempting to finish this tonight, but going to see how that goes.

just kidding, taking a break for today to see if I can catch up with some other BR's :)

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"


[spoilers removed]"
Right!? It could be the scariest thing yet in Everfound...

Haley wrote: "forgot to post after part 3 :((

just finished part 4 now ahhhh so much is happening!!

I find it interesting how at the start of each chapter we have a snippet of Johnny's point of view and what..."
I haven't read your spoiler yet, but so glad you are flying through this. After the gym tomorrow, I am planning to dedicate some real time to it. I need to see how this is going to go!!!

megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"


[spoilers removed]"
Right!? It could be the scariest thing yet in Everfound..."

I like how you said "yet" because really there's so much left in the book that anything could happen!!

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"


[spoilers removed]"
Right!? It could be the scariest thing yet in Everfound..."

I like how you said "..."Exactly!!! Hahaha

part 5
finished this during my lunch break
(view spoiler)[
omg the amount of chaos that's happening... I really thought Jill was going to be able and pull through but nope :( I couldn't imagine getting stuck in a pig... and now the other skinwalkers are in on destroying the world?? what...

I can't wait for the nick and mary reunion!! I'm hyped and I have a strange feeling Allie isn't going to end back up in her body?? but maybe I'm wrong. I REALLY hope her and Mikey end up happy and together in the end.

(hide spoiler)]

I made it to Chapter 16 today! I ended up watching way more football than I anticipated, so that too up a lot of my day. I think I am at page 137.

(view spoiler)[The attack on the train by the neon kids. At first I thought maybe they were sent by this King, or royal person, that Jix keeps mentioning, but he didn't seem to know what they were all about, so I guess that's not true. That was a crazy scene. Also, interesting that Nick is now with Milos and that whole crew. I know it's because they tricked him, but I hope they don't do anything bad or cruel to him. I will flip out! (hide spoiler)]

To Part III, pg 168.

I finally jumped back into this today.
I had put it aside when things got hectic over the holidays. Luckily, Susterman's writing and world-creation is so strong it was a breeze to get back into.
Wurlitzer is fascinating. I am also eager to learn more about Jix's King. It feels like we are getting closer to answers there as he just opened up to Jill about that!

To page 190: Not sure where Allie is glong with this whole prisoner angle, but I am sure she has a plan!

megs_bookrack wrote: "To page 190: Not sure where Allie is glong with this whole prisoner angle, but I am sure she has a plan!"


she always has a plan!! *I think* trying to remember what part you're on exactly lol

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To page 190: Not sure where Allie is glong with this whole prisoner angle, but I am sure she has a plan!"


she always has a plan!! *I think* trying to remember what part you'..."She just went into a prison to see an inmate that she feels is innocent for some reason...I think I get the connection to the other storyline, but I'm not quite sure yet.

Also, isn't it hilarious that I am still reading this! I've had so many ARCs that I've had like zero time for it. Goal to finish it before the end of the month!

To Page 214: This is interesting now that (view spoiler)[Allie has freed the prisoner, it's giving me very Angels v. Demons vibes. In that it is these two entities unknown to the human realm acting upon them, right. So like Allie is aiding these people in their hour of need, guiding them, whereas the baddies are causing them to do terrible things and the humans have no idea what is actually influencing them. I like that. It's actually quite philosophical in a way when you really think about it. (hide spoiler)]

To Page 258: wow, that (view spoiler)[playground scene was intense. I can't believe Molos threw those 2 construction workers off the dide of tge building. He and his group are truly evil! (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To page 190: Not sure where Allie is glong with this whole prisoner angle, but I am sure she has a plan!"


she always has a plan!! *I think* trying to remember ..."

OH i remember that part now!! it's a little funny you're still reading but I'm happy you're still able to get through it even with all the ARCs and upcoming publishing dates. Meanwhile I keep requesting ARCs even though I can't keep up

megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 258: wow, that [spoilers removed]"

SO EVIL!!
(view spoiler)[ In a way it's like Allie is evening it out but still it shouldn't even be like that... ugh Milos I DISLIKE him so much (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 258: wow, that [spoilers removed]"

SO EVIL!!
[spoilers removed]"Same! (view spoiler)[and then as they're falling, she realizes he has already jumped out of that person, as she is still falling and accountable to them in their last moments, ya know. So awful! And then after all the deaths at the concert, how Allie says she went into the minds of a lot of the victims family members and she was trying to provide them comfort anyway she could, like a guardian angel. Love her. (hide spoiler)]

Page 268: (view spoiler)[MARY HAS AWOKEN!!! (hide spoiler)]
Shit is about to get real now 😳

Page 280: i can't believe it was actually just acknowledged that (view spoiler)[Jill is in love with Jix! (hide spoiler)] Awwwww 💕

Page 298: Everything is starting to come to a head.
The ultimate battle of good v. evil.
I'm just really hoping (view spoiler)[Allie gets the outcome she wants.
She's absolutely my fave. Mikey too. I'm very interested to see how Shusterman is going to play this King character of Jix's. I mean clearly this is a representation of God, right? I feel like this whole story has just really leaned into the symbolism of God, angels and demons. I've enjoyed it. I am anxious to see how it will ultimately conclude. If it will be open-ended or not? (hide spoiler)]

To Page 320: OMG, that was so scary and intense when freaking Milos (view spoiler)[capsized the boat and all those kids got sucked down into the deep, including Jix! Poor Jill! I'm so glad he was able to skinjack his way out of that. OMG. I seriously thought he was gone. Mary has revealed just how evil she is. We knew it, but now they do too! (hide spoiler)]

To Page 353: Holy smokes!!!! Allie just took out (view spoiler)[Milos!!! And while I hated his character, that scene in the apartment with his Mom, that hit me right in the feels. Interested to see what Mary is going to do without him. Looks like Jill is going to infiltrate, take her down from the inside. (hide spoiler)]

To Page 400: This was some intense stuff!! (view spoiler)[Jill with the typo in the email address so Allie never received the names of the other skinjackers!!! SMH 🙄 and them the assassination attempt on Allie, so glad she was there to send Rotsie down!! I can't wait to see how this concludes. (hide spoiler)]

I know this has legit taken me 3-months to read but it's not bc I am not enjoying it. ARCs just take up ALL of my time ⏲️ 😒

Haley wrote: "part 5
finished this during my lunch break

omg the amount of chaos that's happening... I really thought Jill was going to be able and pull through but nope :( I couldn't imagine getting stuck in..."I so want Mary taken out. I hope Nick is the one to do it. And yesssss, I so want Allie and Mikey to stay together ❤️

To Pg 422: I was sort 9f expecting the King to be more impressive, although his power of unremembering is quite remarkable. Hoping they can pull something together to stop Mary!

FINISHED!!!! 🥳🥳🥳
Finally! It only took 3-months.
I'd like to thank the academy...
Just kidding.
This was a great series.
It actually provided a lot of good for thought.
Fantastic characters, strong action.
I am glad I made time for it!!