Romantasy Goddesses discussion

Shadow and bone BB read!!!

I’m about to read the first 2 chapters before going to bed, I’m super ready!

Ok!!! Do you want to set our pace to 2 chapters a day then?

I suppose I’ll tell you after the first 2 chapters, depending on how much I like the book or not 😂 Everything is fine for me anyway, what were you thinking?

I just finished the prologue and the first 2 chapter and if we stop at chapter 2 it kinda leave us on a cliff hanger so maybe we should read to chapter 3 or 4. I will let you know which one I stop at lol. It’s good tho, so far I am really enjoying it. I like that with the book version we get to understand Alina more but I wish we could also read from mal’s pov too

Ok, deal! I’m also liking it so far, even if I have this weird thing that I absolutely need to know where all the cities mentioned are positioned in the map, so I always lose a lot of time at the beginning of books to go back and forth from the map to the chapters 😂 And YES! In the tv series you get that Alina likes Mal, but in the book she obviously has a big fat crush on him. Can’t wait to see the interactions with the Darkling!

I’m actually not sure whether we are gonna get Mal’s pov later on. It would be interesting, even if I generally don’t particularly love too many swaps in povs… we’ll see!

Just finished chapter 3, I think I am going to stop here for today. Alina definitely likes mal a whole lot more than the show let on and I’m definitely excited to see what she actually was thinking around the darkling. Although I never really like the darkling (from the show at least).

Oh, come on! How could you not like the Darkling?! I mean, maybe I’ll change my mind reading the book, but I’ve always thought that the Darkling of the tv series was the most interesting and developed character. Then of course, being the most successful character in my eyes doesn’t mean that I like LIKE him as a person. We’ll see how it goes in the books! Up to chapter 3 not a lot of info is given about him though, so I’m very curious to see how he’ll be developed! Stopping here at the end of chapter 3 for today, too and going to sleep - almost 2 a.m. here! Looking forward to the next chapters!

The darkling is definitely the most interesting and developed character but he had no character arc, he is very manipulative and narcissistic and I feel like it would have been better if he had any sort of arc and came to realize how in the wrong he was but he never did, his powers consumed him. My distaste for him might also stem from the fact that in the show he was a love interest and I hated that cause I love mal so so much (and the actor is hot as hell 😂). I like his mother tho lmao.

I suppose that what I’m about to say would be considered a SPOILER ALERT for people who haven’t seen the show or read the book.

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I agree on the lack of a proper and complete arc for him, I would have loved to see, to know more, but I’m hopeful that we are going to be appeased by the book! Said this, I love that he is a villain. Like, a real villain, without any change of heart at all. He used and took advantage of her all for his goals. AND she almost fell for it. She was attracted to him. I’m all in for that in a story! I’m kind of disappointed in the fact that I already know that this is going to happen lol. I’m really looking forward to seeing how their dynamics will be explored in the book!

*how their dynamics will be explored

Also: let’s talk about Mal. I get why you love him, I really do, BUT I think in the show their relationship goes more towards a brother-sister one rather than a romantic relationship, which is why yesterday I was very happy that in the book it’s more obvious that Alina likes him a lot. We will see how their relationship progresses!

I was also thinking about something else: if I didn’t get it wrong Kaz, Inej and their gang only appear in the six of crows duology in the books, which got me wondering how the events will go down without them… what are your thoughts on this?

P.S. Kaz is my favorite character ever in the show, so I can’t wait to read six of crows 🫢😍

*****SPOILER ALERT (anyone who hasn’t read the book or seen the show)***********


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I actually think in retrospect you are so right, there are very few books you read now a days where the villain doesn’t have an arc and stays static. I realize now how unique and rare of a character that is and I am definitely exiting to be able to see that dynamic through Alina’s pov. Yes yes I agree, in the show they are more sister and brother versus a “friends to lovers” trope so I definitely hope we get more of the friends to lovers in the book because I am a huge stan of mal and Alina being together. Kaz is funny enough also my favorite character, he is actually why I ended up buying all the books in the grisha and six of crows series. I think (or at least the show leads me to believe) that six of crows happens concurrently as the grisha series, so I’m not sure if they will have mini crossovers (like in the show) or if they are never mentioned at all.

I think shadow and bone was written before the six of crows so there is a good chance the characters were either not part of the grisha world till they got their own book series or they are minor characters in the grisha series that the author chose to write another book series about.

Well, I suppose we are going to find out soon! I’m almost home and ready to go on with the books, I’m thinking other 3 chapters for today? What do you say? I don’t have to wake up early tomorrow, so I would be down for it if you wanted to read a bit more!

There’s also the side story of the heartrender girl and the fjerdan boy that I have no idea whether is going to be included in this book or not! I mean, if everything followed Alina’s pov how would that story be told? 🤔

hey guys! can i join y’all with reading this? i can catch up if you let me know which chapter i should read too!!

Julia, ofc you can read with us. We are reading to chapter 6 or 7 tonight. And Cristina, I’m down for another 3 chapters maybe even 4! Also I’m not sure how the side story with the heartrender and the fjerdan boy would be told from Alina’s pov but I definitely hope they are in it or at least the six of crows series. If not maybe we will get a whole book series on them in the future (🤞)

Okay thank you so much! I will read to chapter seven tonight! I’m so excited.

Welcome Julia! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Have you seen the tv series or are you new to the story?

I have not yet watched the show and I’m new to the story! I will watch it after i read the book!

******** BE AWARE THERE ARE SPOILERS ABOVE AND NOT ALL ARE LABELED*****************

So… what are we thinking? I personally feel that all the focus is put on the actual events happening, which makes sense because of the situation, but I would have appreciated to read some more of Alina’s inner thoughts. Right now I’m not particularly fond of her, I can’t really empathize with her. She looks like a lifeless doll that people move around however they please lol. I mean, I understand the situation, I get that she didn’t expect this and that she could not really do a lot about what’s happening, but still. How can she just move along with the flow without having more that a couple thoughts about it? However, we are not even halfway through the book, so I’m looking forward to her development as a character!

Also, what about reading up to chapter 10 included today?

Ya I’m not really a big fan fan of Alina at this point, he character just seems very insecure and ungrateful. I understand being that this all happened so fast but there have been so so so so so many side comments about her being ugly and not meant to be grisha because she is so ugly and at this point is so redundant. And chapter 10 is good. Are we reading chapter 10 as well or just up to the start of chapter 10?

YES! Exactly! I totally agree. Also because yes, it happened fast, but not THAT fast. I mean, I would understand her being totally overwhelmed by the situation and not knowing how to react at all if it all happened in like one day. But it is mentioned that the journey to the Little Palace lasted for DAYS. When you spend days riding a horse alone with your thoughts you kinda have time to realize what is happening and what you could expect to happen!

I would read chapter 10 as well, maybe even more, but you tell me!

Yesssss, like there’s no way she wouldn’t have been thinking about everything that entire journey!!!! And I’m fine with reading through ch 10, or if you want to read and let me know where you stop that fine too. I’m 99% sure we are in different time zones (you’re ahead of me) so I will have the time to catch up. Cause I think the other day when you said it was like 2am for you it was still 8 or 9 for me.

Yes, we are definitely in different time zones because I live in Italy lol. It’s 6 p.m. here now. I usually read in the evening before going to bed. I’ll let you know what chapters I’ll read!

Soooooooo I may have gotten a little ahead of myself with the reading, but I definitely agree with not really liking her right now. And like you guys pointed out SHES HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO THINK THIS THROUGH! anyways. I like it so far

It’s nearly 1 PM here as well so definitely different time zones lol

Oh and I started watching the show and I’m super excited

Julia let us know what you think of the show! I’m currently mid chapter 12, I’m going to finish it before going to sleep. I have some things to say, but I’ll wait for your thoughts as soon as you have read it!

Hey, I will finish reading chapter 13 for today and I have also read the short story “The tailor”, from Genya’s pov - it’s like 20-30 pages long. Julia, I suggest that you don’t read it until you have finished watching the show or reading the book because it contains some spoilers, but I liked it a lot! THAT is what I would like to see from Alina. Emotions, inner turmoil. I love Genya. And I have a lot to say on Alina up to chapter 13, but I’ll wait for you two to reach this point before I spoil you something 😬

Hey sorry been super busy, I am ready up to chapter 13 tn so I am caught up with you. I will definitely look for the tailer!!!

Reading*

I’m finished with chapter 13, so once Makayla is there we can definitely talk because I have some opinions.

Ready to rant about Alina when you are lol.

Oh I am so so ready!
This does contain SPOILERS, ik we know what happing but just in case someone reads through this


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Alina is so so so ungrateful, I literally want to scream. She was given a new coat but didn’t want black because it places her above everyone else but she is more important than everyone else, she is the MOST important because she can take down the fold and unite her country. How can she join the army and fight for her country just to fine out she is the one person who can unite her country and she doesn’t want to do it. All she is worried about is mal, which I get it she loves him but girl come on!!!!! She is really really pissing me off.

Okay I totally agree!! She’s being soooo annoying. ALSO when she finally figured out her powers and everything THE ONKY REASON BC SHE EAS READY TO LEAVE MAL BEHIND. Like obviously I know he wasn’t answering your letters, but surely you would have to think that oh maybe he’s not getting them BECAUSE HES LITERALLY YOUR BEST FRIEND?? Like he grew up with you and I know it was part of the plot and stuff for Mal to be the reason they didn’t know she was the sun summoner until now, but like cmon man. Alina can not think oh yeah he’s the reason I hid them and maybe this is the point i’m leaving him. Like and it’s not like there was a huge thing between him.. Like obviously the whole plot of them finding out she’s the sun summoner butttttt nothing HUGE that could make them forget their entire relationship between them. Anyways..

No literally that is such a good point, how is she going to realize that mal is the reason she never allowed herself to feel her powers so they could stay together just for her to push him away (mentally) and stop worrying about him and have that be the think to finally allow her to take over her powers like wtf?!?!?!?

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I also got a little ahead of myself reading today and am almost to chapter 19 but I won’t have much time to read the next 2 days so lmk where you guys are at and I will slow down or speed up based on where you guys are at.

ALL THE COMMENTS FROM HERE ON WILL PROBABLY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!!



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These chapters are Alina worrying not to fit in, noticing other people being more beautiful than her and - once in a while - remembering that she misses Mal. Like, months pass but she only thinks about him a couple of times?? My problem here is that I know about her relationship with Mal because she says it exists, but I don’t FEEL it. And I don’t really understand it. Literally more lines are dedicated to the small peck on the lips the Darkling gave her than to Mal in 5 chapters or so. I don’t buy it, I’m sorry. I saw more emotions in Alina in “The Tailor” when Genya was describing Alina’s reaction to the lack of letters from Mal than in these chapters, that are from her own pov lol. Also, as I was saying, I don’t even understand their relationship, I’m literally just taking her word for it, but I don’t really know why Mal is important to her, as I only know that they spent time together in the same orphanage. With other kids too, anyway. So, apart from laying together in the meadow - which seems like the only activity they did all day, every day- , why should Mal be so special to her? I would have loved to read about a significant moment between them, maybe in the form of a dream, which would have also shown better that Alina is actually missing him. Also because if I don’t understand this relationship it’s clear that the whole “I don’t manifest my powers because I want to stay with Mal” is complete insanity to me. And it’s even more insanity the fact that not receiving some letters is such a betrayal to her than everything she kept in for years magically unlocks, I definitely agree with you on this.

So, my conclusion: Alina is definitely NOT on my list of favorite characters.

And let’s talk about her desire to fit it: wearing black would totally ruin her chances, BUT not talking to people is apparently completely fine. How many words does she say in 5 chapters to people that are not Genya, Baghra and the Darkling? Maybe 10? And she takes every opportunity to run away from people and isolate herself. I mean yeah, that’s totally the way to go to socialize and fit in. I get it, you initially didn’t want other people to know about you not being able to summon your power, but still. Moreover, why on earth would you want to fit in if you don’t even like these people?! She doesn’t even like Nadia and Marie, and they are the girls she talks with the most.

Finally: you spend your whole time whining about other people being more beautiful than you BUT when Genya offers her help you say no?

THEN STAY ALONE IN YOUR ROOM IN YOUR SCRAWNY BODY WITH YOUR BLACK BAGS UNDER YOUR EYES.

And wear the damn black, for the love of gods, you have to save the world, you are important. Come to terms with it, please.

…….

That’s it, I’m finished lol.

I’m reading chapter 17 at the moment anyway, so I could probably finish chapter 19 by tomorrow!

Just to prove a point when I say that I feel more emotions in Alina through Genya’s pov than through her own pov, this is taken from “the tailor” - I paid attention to eliminate all spoilers- when they talk about Mal:

<< Alina gives a single sharp nod as her hands clench the edge of the infirmary sheet. I’m sorry to see her hurting, but I can’t help being fascinated by the play of emotion over her face. She hasn’t learned to hide what she feels. It’s all there for anyone to read from moment to moment: happiness, relief, fear, and always fatigue, the deep weariness she carries everywhere.
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“I’m sure he’s fine,” I tell Alina as I slip the paper into my sleeve. Again, her face comes alive: Red in her cheeks—she’s ashamed to have asked. Lips pressed together—she hopes anyway. It’s almost painful to watch. I think she’s so used to being unnoticed that she doesn’t realize how much she shows.
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“She’s afraid he was killed in action and hasn’t shown up on the lists yet.” I hesitate, then say, “But I think she’s almost as scared that he’s alive and well and through with her.” >>

Have I made my point? 😂

Hey I was thinking that if I’m not mistaken there are 22 chapters in the book, so how about finishing it by Saturday night? Are you up for it?

Yes I am up for finishing by Saturday, and I agree with everything you said. Alina “emotions” really do lack true context as to how much or little she actually feels toward honestly everyone but genya. We don’t exactly know why she doesn’t like Nadia or Marie, we know she feels a pull toward the darkling but what kind of pull? They spend so little time together for her to have romantic feelings and the kiss and empty room were so out of left field. Then again with mal, we know she have feelings for him cause she insinuates it but she never tells us how deep those feelings go. She confuses me and honestly acts like a child.

I finished the book, I have some words but I will wait till Saturday to discuss. Are we planning on reading the next book too? I am planning on reading the next book and would be down to do it as a book buddy read, but it is up to you guys. This was actually my first book buddy read and I quite enjoyed being able to discuss the book with you guys!!

I have finished the book as well, and I’m down for the second book. I’ve already bought it so whenever we all finish this one and discuss everything we can book buddy for book two