Play Book Tag discussion

Setting up a discussion spot for An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir.

There is a some interest to read this one this month for 5 stars by Nancy, KateNZ and Joanne. I think a few have read this one recently. All are welcome to join discussion!

I want to do a buddy read of this please. I don’t understand how to get started on this group, maybe a buddy read is what I need to get myself started. Can I play?

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I want to do a buddy read of this please. I don’t understand how to get started on this group, maybe a buddy read is what I need to get myself started. Can I play?"

Yes you are welcome to join! I just wrote you a note on Linda’s review of the book. This is a great way to get started.

When do we start it?

Dosha, you can start whenever you are ready-as Nancy mentioned in the review thread, it is very informal. You read at your own speed and can start a discussion whenever (we use spoilers here, or you can title your post first with the chapter number(s) so no one reads it if they have not gotten that far yet.

Great! I will start it today, I am so excited. I used my audible credit and I also bought the kindle version. Hopefully I can whispersync. Good idea about how to start the discussions with the chapter etc. for spoiler alerts.

Thanks so much Jen.

Great you can join us, Dosha!

Excited to have you join us Dosha! Fun to have such a big group!

I own the Kindle version but also got overly ambitious in my library borrows and need to sort those out first. I will try to start next weekend, the 17th ish.

I’m so glad you’re enjoying it so far, Dosha!

I’ll start it in the next couple of days, I think. Also finishing off a library book first (The Atlas Six, which is very popular so I want to return it asap).

KateNZ wrote: "I’m so glad you’re enjoying it so far, Dosha!

I’ll start it in the next couple of days, I think. Also finishing off a library book first (The Atlas Six, which is very popular so I want to return ..."

Interested to hear your thoughts on The Atlas Six!

Half way through The Atlas Six, Jen, and it’s ok but it looks like it’s settling in for a long section of not very much …

I read this in 2016 and gave it a favorable review. I'll be watching your reviews!

I’ll start this one as soon as I finish my last Olympics book tomorrow?

Just starting this now that Small has gone to bed.

Very dramatic first chapters!

Dramatic indeed! It pulled me in from the very start and never let me go.

I’m listening to the audio, and it’s intriguing so far. I’m only a couple chapters in. I can’t picture what their world looks like yet, but the political state reminds me of Stalinist Russia, and the accents seem to be from all over the UK.

I can't tell if the masks are magical people or something else.

I’m listening to the audio and I can’t quite understand the names yet. I need a print copy to see spellings. I’m on a wait list for the kindle. The narration is fairly soft. I managed to sleep for 5 hours without it waking me back up.

I have both audio and kindle. It helps to be able to go back and forth.

The audio has a stupidly long wait at my library, though both #2 and #3 have almost no wait list (I’ve booked #2, in a spirit of optimism!) So I’m operating off my DTB…

The masks are seriously creepy. As an expression of an authoritarian state, you don’t get a much stronger symbol than that …

I am on page 130. This is rather creepy, but so well written that I am hooked.

KateNZ wrote: "The audio has a stupidly long wait at my library, though both #2 and #3 have almost no wait list (I’ve booked #2, in a spirit of optimism!) So I’m operating off my DTB…

The masks are seriously cr..."

Good move. When I added the book, I tagged it “cliffhanger” based on warnings from other readers. I just noticed, so I’ll put a hold on book 2 now too.

Added-
Dang - I accidentally read a spoiler for this book on the library site. Don’t read the description of book #2!!!!

Thanks Nancy - good warning!

I’m really enjoying the alternating POVs. Sometimes that would be really annoying but she manages it so well. Each chapter ends with wanting to know more, so it keeps the book moving along at a really fast clip and keeps the tension high

I like that too Kate. I think it helps that the chapters are so short. I’m never tempted to skip a chapter just to stay with a favorite character. I know we’ll get back there soon.

I’m almost done. It’s very exciting but brutal.

There is one question that is still bugging me. Near the beginning we learn that Elias’ mother (the commander of the school) seems to hate him, and left him in tribal lands when he was a newborn. Does anyone know why? (Just a wild guess … I wonder if she was told there was a curse or prophesy that her son would one day kill or destroy her. )

Does anyone see the similarities between this book and Fourth Wing? They are both war colleges run by cold mothers, with goulish creatures, and lots of casual violence. Elias lusts in his heart over 2 girls, but there isn’t as much teen angst, and there is no graphic sex (yet?).

I’m a long way behind you - I have a lot of embroidery homework to do, so I’ve had my (different) audio book on instead.

Laia has just arrived at Blackcliff. Am worried for her, though clearly she is going to survive the experience.

So enjoying it even though I’m reading slowly.

I never got my book-doubt I will get to it this month-but the reaction I am seeing here tells it is time to read it.

I wonder why the Commander hates her son so much too. Thank goodness for Elias’s maternal grandfather (although I’m not sure he can count on him either if/when things get ugly.

Possible ***SPOILER ALERT***

I don’t believe Elias is going to stay. Some nagging feeling has me believing he is going to run for the hills. I believe part of his reason for running is to get away from his hateful mother if that is possible.

KateNZ wrote: "Half way through The Atlas Six, Jen, and it’s ok but it looks like it’s settling in for a long section of not very much …"

Yeah, I read this a few years ago but in a binge audio during a 10-12 hour drive. I think if I had been physically reading, I may have had trouble getting back to it after pausing. I started to get into it but didn't love the ending. I've considered the next in series but haven't had much enthusiasm for it yet but haven't written it off.

Finally started this last night, only through 5 chapters but excited to get back to it. The school situation reminds me a bit of Fourth Wing.

I practically devoured this one. Brutal but engaging story. I would definitely want to continue the series. Sorry I was bit behind on the discussion.

NancyJ wrote: "I like that too Kate. I think it helps that the chapters are so short. I’m never tempted to skip a chapter just to stay with a favorite character. I know we’ll get back there soon.

I’m almost don..."

Yes, I wish we would get more of the story. My initial guess is that the conception was NOT consensual. But I would love to know if there was a prophecy. I kind of hate the fate ordained kind of thing that the Augurs are foretelling but it does seem as if there are alternative futures dependent on individual choice. I'm fascinated by the Augurs.

Definite Fourth Wing vibes though Violet's mom is not nearly as terrible. Very thankful the limited teen angst and lack of graphic sex. Though I do miss the dragons! Another very similar one is The Final Strife with a similar caste system, a trial to be leader and the mom being an head and does not want her daughter to win.

I wasn’t sure if or when I would read the second book, but I immediately landed on the Sahara desert hurdle which required me to read a book set in the desert. It was a fast read since the first book was so fresh, but it was even more rascist and violent.

NancyJ wrote: "I wasn’t sure if or when I would read the second book, but I immediately landed on the Sahara desert hurdle which required me to read a book set in the desert. It was a fast read since the first bo..."

I'm slightly jealous that you managed to read already for Steeplechase! I won't check the spoiler yet but maybe they need to get worse to get better?

Jen K wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I wasn’t sure if or when I would read the second book, but I immediately landed on the Sahara desert hurdle which required me to read a book set in the desert. It was a fast read sin..."

I think I have one hurdle and 4 of the original tags left. These last ones are getting harder.

Here, is a teaser without too much of a spoiler. The second book has a few Game of Thrones type moments, though the pov is still focused on the 3 young people (including Helene). The commandant steps up the violence which motivates the resistance (and Elias). The Augurs warn that “Winter is coming.” I’m kidding - they don’t say winter, but there are hints that put similar images in my head.

Well, having been one of the first to start this, I think I’m the last to finish it. Ultimately I enjoyed it - it ended wonderfully strongly - but it lost me in the middle and got put down in favour of other things. I even wondered if I’d bother to keep going at one stage. Just shows that sometimes it’s well worth pushing through!!