The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Legendary Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on November 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 11/01
- 01.11.: Seven years ago - chapter 4
- 02.11.: chapter 5 - 8
- 03.11.: chapter 9 - 12

Week of 11/04- 04. 11.: chapter 13 - 16
- 05.11.: chapter 17 - 20
- 06.11.: chapter 21 - 24
- 07.11.: chapter 25 - 28
- 08.11.: chapter 29 - 32
- 09.11.: chapter 33 - 36 + Elantine‘s Eve
- 10.11.: chapter 37 - 40

Week of 11/11- 11.11.: chapter 41 - End


PARTICIPANTS
~ Aikaterine
~ Sophie
~ Sarah-Vanessa

Seven years ago- chapter 4

I'm enjoying being in Tella's pov so far which I'm very happy about as I wasn't sure whether I was going to like reading from her perspective.

I don't really like the fact that Julian and Tella are keeping very important secrets from Scarlett in order 'to protect her'. Honestly, characters not disclosing important information to other characters in some sort of vow of protection has always been one of my biggest pet peeves in books. It's almost as if they're making her a damsel in distress when she actually grew leaps and bounds as a character in Caraval. I still don't trust Julian!

We're now on a new mission to locate Tella's mother which I find to be a lot more intriguing than the mission in book one. I seriously wouldn't be surprised if we didn't find out Legends identity by the end of this book though.

Yey so excited for this Read.
I will start tomorrow… Due to Late work today.

Seven years ago - Chapter 4

@Sophie I agree with you. Julian and Tella shouldn‘t keep any secrets from Scarlett. I don’t think it will turn out any good for Julian After what happened the first time he lied to Scarlett.

I‘m excited to hear that this time it will be about finding Tella‘s and Scarlett‘s mum. I always thought it was kind of akward she disappeared like that.

I suspect though that the friend helping Tella is no good. And I Hope Dante will start to play a more important role in Tellas life.

Chapter 5 - 8.

I‘m already hooked! Like the first one this is progressing quick, which I like.

I‘m feeling kind of sad for Scarlett, as Tella isn‘t really honest with her under the claim to protect her. Probably would be smarter to just be honest and Scarlett has proven in the previous Book, that she‘s strong enough.

Tella is also getting herself into trouble and unwanted situations by being too impulsive. Like inviting her sister to play Caraval with her or making the blond boy her Enemy. I suspect this one is the heir….

Chapter 9 - 12
Ughhh, what a cliffhanger on the end of chapter 12. Now I need to read ahead. I absolutely need to know if the blond man from the carriage is the heir.

I‘m also wondering how long it will take Tella to admit to herself, that she likes Dante a lot.
And why did Scarlett not show up to meet her sister as she said she would. Doesn‘t sound like Scarlett at all.

Chapter 13 - 16
Oh my... There are so many unexpected revelations within just 4 chapters. The heir is Jack - the not-so-nice guy from the carriage - but Jack also is the Prince of Heart and thus a Fate...

And Tella and Scarellt`s mom is captured in a card. I didn`t expect some of these things. I only suspected Jack to be the heir, but not a fate.

And I`m positive Dante will be there for Tella through Caraval and help her. He`s definitely interested in more, although he said, he only likes to be with a woman one time.

Up to the end of chapter 16

Ok I haven't read Stephanie Garber's other series, Once Upon A Broken Heart, but I'm pretty sure that the MMC in those books is called Jacks.........very interested to see where this character is going to go.

@Sarah-Vanessa I agree with you that Dante is going to be a support system for Tella. I weirdly feel more securely about him than I do Julian.

I'm very happy that the pacing has remained fast in this book.

Chapters 17-20

I have just realised that I really am just a Julian hater. And I feel kind of validated by my opinion due to his behaviour in the most recent chapters. I get that being an actor for Caraval is his job, but completely blanking Tella was just plain weird.

I did find myself missing Jacks in these past few chapters, he really brought a lot of energy and intrigue to the story when he first arrived.

Part of me thinks that Tella and Scarlett's mum is a willing participant either in Caraval or within the Meridian Empire, it would make sense her wanting to get away from her husband.

@Sophie It‘s ok to be a Julian hater. Happens to me with Tella. I agree Julians behavior was weird. Maybe he can sense Tella is a danger to his brother and that‘s why he behaves the sort. Or was even ordered by Legend to behave like this. Definitely finding myself wanting more of Jacks too. And love your idea about Tella & Scarlett‘s mum.

Chapter 17 - 24

I‘m not too fond of Tella. The way Tella used to keep things from Scarlett or sometimes even plays her, but then gets upset when Scarlett keeps things, makes me to not really like her. And I think she’s trying to convince herself that Dante‘s interest isn‘t real, just because the Deck of Destiny told her she will never Experience love.

I‘m also still really fond of the idea that Julian is Legend. Suspected that already in the first novel. And what is Scarlett hiding, I Need to know ASAP.

We also learn the backstory of Paloma, aka Paradise. This whole Situation with Aiko left me wondering, if she stole something more valuable from Tella, which we yet get to find out.

Chapters 17-24

I definitely think that Aiko stole something additional from Tella without letting her know. It's to be expected with how easy it is to be tricked.

I'm very much looking forward to getting into Paloma/Paradise's back story. It's a whole added layer of mystery we have yet to unfold. Although there is a small part of me that thinks that Tella is being tricked and that her isn't a criminal and is a victim-it's very easy to be tricked in Caraval.

Chapters 25-28

God knows how many of the fates have escaped. Clearly they are for the most part unhinged, when you take into consideration Jacks, and the Undead Queen & her handmaidens. The queen and her handmaidens attacking Tella was pretty extreme.

I honestly have no theory as to who Legend is at this point. Dante referred to Julian as 'brother' (which could just be friendly), Julian is supposedly Legend's brother and we now know that Dante's main focus is retrieving the cards........which is what Legend is desperate for. I don't know, it just seems a little too obvious to me.

And what does Legend actually want to do with the power of all of the fates? Surely it can't just be power for powers sake.

So I read ahead a little bit...

Chapters 29-32

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, Tella and Scarlett's mum sucks. Paloma wanted to sacrifice her own daughter?! I unfortunately think that we will be seeing her soon but I'm not looking forward to it. I do hope that Tella doesn't give up herself and the ring, which is the makeshift key. I can foresee Tella being forced to do so, however, possibly due to someone wanting to harm Scarlett. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 33-36

(view spoiler)[ I'm unfortunately beginning to dislike Tella. Her decisions are all over the place and a lot of the time selfish.

I don't think I've trusted anyone in these books bar Scarlett. I feel very unsure about Dante, he told us this big backstory, but it wouldn't be the first time a character has lied about their true identity and history.

I'm definitely not buying into the fact that Tella is supposedly Jacks' one true love. When you take a look at the bigger picture, they really don't have much chemistry at all. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 37-40

I'm probably going to finish this one today

(view spoiler)[ Ok so Dante is Legend.......wtf??? And I'm pretty sure thi isn't a trick either from reading chapter 40. Don't get me wrong, it was hinted at earlier in the book, but I thought that hint was a little too obvoius.

From reading chapter 40, is Tella now dead? I Dante/Legend trying to revive her? Also what was the point in bringing Jacks into the story? I have so many questions! (hide spoiler)]

@Sophie I also finished it yesterday. And agree with the things you wrote:

(view spoiler)[
- Dante being Legend, seemed almost too obvious to believe after that conversation Tella overheard. But yes, it wasn‘t that much of a surprise in the end
- I Kind of dislike Tella as well and agree she’s allover the Place. I basically only trust Scarlett & Julian, although the latter one tends to stretch the truth a bit too much
- I used to love Dante, but the end… Come on! I was really disappointed. I don’t allow myself to believe everything was a game just to become the new ruler over the Meridian. I just want Dantes feelings for Tella to be true.
- Don‘t know what to think about Jack. Sometimes he‘s horrible, then he‘s nice again. I also don‘t think that Tella is his one true love. Seems too easy. For what I know the ONCE upon a broken heart series is about Jack and I think that Plot is about his one true love (hide spoiler)]

I don’t think I‘ll be able to wait for the 15th to Read Finale. I really want to know how this is going to Turn out.